Feb 22 Watch Showdown Over Bargaining Rights, State Budgets Spreads Beyond Wisconsin Indiana lawmakers followed their Wisconsin counterparts' example by leaving the state to halt a bill that would curb the influence of labor unions. Gwen Ifill talks to reporters in New Jersey, Indiana and Ohio, where state budget deficits are going… Continue watching
Feb 21 Watch Government Shutdown Possible as Congress Debates Budget Cuts The prospect of a federal government shutdown inched closer after the House passed a funding measure calling for $61 billion in cuts to this year's budget. President Obama has threatened to veto the bill. Judy Woodruff talks with the New… Continue watching
Feb 17 Watch Medicaid Recipients Nervous as States Start Chopping to Fill Budget Holes Governors across the U.S. are desperately looking for ways to fill huge budget gaps. Most are required by law to balance their budgets, which means big cuts in state spending on all programs, including Medicaid. That has many recipients worried. Continue watching
Feb 17 Watch Senate Pair Risks Backlash Seeking Bipartisan Fix for Deficit, Debt Crisis As debate continues over President Obama's budget proposal, Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Mark Warner discuss their bipartisan approach to addressing the debt crisis -- and the pitfalls they face in doing so. Continue watching
Feb 17 Watch Wisconsin’s Crowded Capitol: Collective-Bargaining Protest Grows Amid the firestorm in Wisconsin over whether to scrap collective-bargaining rights for public employees, Ray Suarez speaks with Wisconsin Public Television Capitol reporter Adam Schrager, who has been covering the protests this week -- described as the largest in Madison… Continue watching
Feb 16 Watch Defense Spending Battles Brewing as House Axes Backup F-35 Engine Funds The Obama administration defended its military budget before Congress, sparking new political conflict between Democrats and Republicans. Jim Lehrer talks with Political Editor David Chalian about the looming battles between the parties. Continue watching
Feb 16 Watch Sen. Bernie Sanders: ‘I’ve Got a Lot of Problems With the President’s Budget’ Judy Woodruff talks to Sen. Bernie Sanders, the longtime Vermont independent who caucuses with the Democrats and serves on the Senate Budget Committee, about the debate on spending and cuts in the president's budget blueprint for 2012. Continue watching
Feb 15 Watch Rand Paul: ‘Our Whole Economy Is Equal to Our Debt Now’ Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, a co-founder of the Senate Tea Party Caucus, speaks with Gwen Ifill about President Obama's 2012 budget proposal, plus his vision for further spending cuts and bringing down the U.S. national debt. Continue watching
Feb 15 Watch Obama Touts Budget Plan as Republicans Seek Deeper Spending Cuts President Obama continued promoting his budget blueprint for 2012 on Tuesday and called on both parties to prepare for tough decisions about Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Judy Woodruff talks with Political Editor David Chalian about the budget battles between… Continue watching
Feb 14 Watch Cuts, Deficit Highlight 2012 Budget Blueprint, But Battles Loom in Washington President Obama submitted his $3.7 trillion federal budget blueprint for 2012. Gwen Ifill speaks with White House Budget Director Jack Lew about the details of the budget and Judy Woodruff has the Republican reaction from Sen. Rob Portman, a member… Continue watching