Politics

Follow PBS NewsHour’s complete coverage of politics, Congress, the Supreme court and the presidency.

Syndicated Columnist Mark Shields and National Review Senior Editor Ramesh Ponnuru discuss the passage of the new energy bill, CAFTA, the gun liability bill and the ongoing labor union dispute.

Congress pushes a series of legislation through, including the passage of a new energy bill and highway spending bill Friday, as it prepares for the month-long August recess.

The controversial field of stem cell research gained political backing Friday as Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said Friday he would back broader federal funding for the research, a split from President Bush's stance on the subject.

Congress Friday passed a sweeping energy bill that provides billions in tax breaks and other incentives to boost domestic production from traditional and alternative sources. Experts discuss the positives and negatives of the bill.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice discusses developments in Iraq, negotiations with North Korea and the effect recent attacks in London and Egypt are having on the U.S.