Page 27 | Congress | Washington Week with The Atlantic

Oct. 16, 2015 9:31 p.m. EDT

News: House Speaker Race Drags On and Obama Mum on 2016 Race

Republicans are still searching for their next House Speaker, and the man who everyone wants, Rep. Paul Ryan, is said to still be reticent about assuming the leadership role which may cause potential no-name politicians to start throwing their hat into the ring according to NBC News’ Chuck Todd. President Obama withholds his opinion on the 2016 presidential race.

Oct. 09, 2015 9:46 p.m. EDT

News: House Republicans Scramble to Find New Speaker, Hillary Clinton's Break with Obama Administration, Pentagon Shift in Syria Strategy and New Supreme Court Term Begins

Chaos erupted in the House Republican conference this week after Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy decided to end his bid to replace outgoing Speaker John Boehner. The vote was postponed at the GOP looked for a candidate who could garner support from the establishment and the Party's right flank.

Oct. 02, 2015 9:32 p.m. EDT

News: Education Secretary Steps Down, Obama Addresses Critics of Syria Policy

At a White House press conference, President Obama addressed critics of U.S. policy in Syria -- including his former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Original Obama administration Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced his plans to step down at the end of the year. Alexis Simendinger of Real Clear Politics discusses his legacy.

Oct. 02, 2015 9:29 p.m. EDT

News: Oregon Shooting Renews Push For Gun Laws, Republican House Leadership Shakeup and Russian Airstrikes in Syria

After a gunman opened fire at a community college in Oregon killing nine people, President Obama made an impassioned appeal for stronger gun control policy. Despite Obama's plea, Alexis Simendinger of Real Clear Politics says there seems to be no appetite to bring up new gun legislation on Capitol Hill and if any change occurs it’ll be a project for the next president.

Sep. 25, 2015 11:33 p.m. EDT

News: Speaker John Boehner Resigns, Pope Francis’ U.S. Tour & Obama Hosts President Xi Jinping

After being under strong pressure from conservatives in Congress to push for tighter government spending, House Speaker John Boehner announced his resignation this week. As he continued his tour around the U.S., Pope Francis came to Washington to address Congress on controversial issues including immigration and climate change.

Sep. 24, 2015 12:30 p.m. EDT

News: Will the pope’s visit to Congress bring a political miracle of unity?

When Pope Francis addresses a joint meeting of Congress, he'll speak from the same podium where Father Patrick Conroy, chaplain of the House of Representatives, delivers the opening prayer each morning. Father Pat joins Gwen Ifill to reflect on the pope's visit and his own role as a spiritual resource for a polarized group of lawmakers.

Sep. 11, 2015 9:38 p.m. EDT

News: Biden Weighs 2016 Run, Clinton’s Email Contrition, Trump’s Surge, Overcoming Iran Deal opposition & Accepting Syrian Refugees

In an appearance on The Late Show, Vice President Joe Biden gave an emotional answer about his current thinking about entering the 2016 race for the White House. Meanwhile, his would-be Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton apologized this week for her use of a private email server during her tenure as secretary of State.

Aug. 06, 2015 12:08 p.m. EDT

News: Is Obama’s Iran deal rhetoric working?

President Obama, in an address denouncing critics of the Iran nuclear agreement, warned that America’s international credibility would be lost if Congress kills the deal. How successful was the president in making his case? Gwen Ifill gets views from Ray Takeyh of the Council on Foreign Relations and Nicholas Burns of Harvard University.

Jul. 31, 2015 6:48 p.m. EDT

News: Republican Mistrust of Government, Hillary Dodges Keystone Questions, and A Republican Challenge to John Boehner

A new Pew Study shows that Republican trust the presidency has never been at a lower point. Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton -citing conflicts from her tenure as secretary of State- dodges questions about whether the controversial Keystone oil pipeline should be built. And House Speaker John Boehner is fighting off a lone Republican congressman trying to remove him from his position of power.

Jul. 31, 2015 6:43 p.m. EDT

News: Countdown to the First GOP Debate and Congress' Unresolved Issues During Summer Recess

The first Republican presidential debate is less than a week away, and many are speculating about the role businessman Donald Trump will play as he leads the GOP field. Which Republicans will be on the stage to take on Trump? Plus, Congress is heading out of town for its five-week summer recess while leaving some major issues unresolved.

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