Scott Horsley

Unclear Laws May Have Contributed to Tax-Exempt Controversy

Scott Horsley — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:52:00 +0000

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DAVID GREENE, HOST:

Let's turn to another story for now: The acting head of the IRS has resigned, but is still facing questions about the agency. Lawmakers continue their probe into the federal tax agency targeting Tea Party groups seeking tax exemption.

Late last week, the House Ways and Means Committee demanded answers from top IRS officials to find out why the agency singled out conservative groups for scrutiny. Well, now, the Senate Finance Committee gets its chance to grill the outgoing commissioner.

Why Congress Has Reasons Not To Be Bipartsan

Scott Horsley — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:56:00 +0000

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STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

Now let's look little more deeply at this narrative of scandal. NPR's Scott Horsley has more.

SCOTT HORSLEY, BYLINE: When President Obama gets frustrated with the gridlock in Washington, he sometimes looks back wistfully to the decades after World War II.

Emails Track How Erroneous Benghazi Talking Points Emerged

Scott Horsley — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:29:00 +0000

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MELISSA BLOCK, HOST:

We're going to take a closer look now at the trove of Benghazi-related emails that the White House made public late yesterday. The emails offer a behind-the-scenes look at how various agencies within the federal government worked to craft the talking points used to describe that attack last September. The talking points were initially developed for members of Congress, but they also provided a script for U.N.

White House Addresses Benghazi Emails, IRS Audits

Scott Horsley — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:57:00 +0000

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MELISSA BLOCK, BYLINE: This is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED from NPR News. I'm Melissa Block.

AUDIE CORNISH, BYLINE: And I'm Audie Cornish.

The Obama administration is doing some intensive damage control this evening. Tonight, the president announced that the acting commissioner of the IRS, Steven Miller, is being pushed out over heightened scrutiny given to Tea Party groups and other conservative organizations.

Earlier today, the White House also released 100 pages of emails in hopes of quieting a lingering controversy over last year's deadly attack at the U.S.

'Ineffective Management' Blamed For Tax-Exempt Scandal At IRS

Scott Horsley — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:19:00 +0000

A Treasury Department Inspector General's report criticizes the IRS for inappropriately flagging some conservative groups for additional scrutiny on their applications for tax-exempt status. President Obama says those responsible must be held accountable.

IRS Inspector General Faults 'Ineffective Management'

Scott Horsley — Wed, 15 May 2013 00:02:00 +0000

Audie Cornish talks to Scott Horsley about the IRS Inspector General's report on the agency's audit of conservative groups.

President Asks Moms For Help Promoting Obamacare

Scott Horsley — Fri, 10 May 2013 21:45:00 +0000

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ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST:

From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Robert Siegel.

AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:

And I'm Audie Cornish. At the White House this afternoon, President Obama enlisted a new ally in his campaign to promote health insurance: moms. Starting this fall, Americans who don't have insurance or who've been buying costly individual policies will be able to shop for coverage through new government exchanges. The White House plans an aggressive campaign to encourage people to sign up.

Democrats Hope For A Bright Future In The Lone Star State

Scott Horsley — Thu, 09 May 2013 07:32:00 +0000

President Obama travels to Texas on Thursday for the second time in as many weeks. He will talk about job training and economic opportunity, but he may have a political opportunity on his mind as well.

Obama lost Texas by more than 1 million votes last year.

Two Nominations Round Out Obama's Second-Term Cabinet

Scott Horsley — Thu, 02 May 2013 21:14:00 +0000

President Obama rounded out his cabinet on Thursday by naming Chicago benefactor Penny Pritzker as Commerce Secretary and White House aide Michael Froman as U.S. trade representative.

The Federal Deficit Is Actually Shrinking

Scott Horsley — Wed, 01 May 2013 20:19:00 +0000

During the housing bust, taxpayers were forced to bail out mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. But thanks to the real estate recovery, Fannie Mae could end up paying tens of billions of dollars back to the Treasury this summer.

That's just one of the factors behind a better bottom line for the federal government.

Obama Defends Positions At Surprise News Conference

Scott Horsley — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:43:00 +0000

President Obama held a news conference on Tuesday, the 100th day of his second term.

Months In, Vacancies Remain In Obama's Second-Term Cabinet

Scott Horsley — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:00:00 +0000

President Barack Obama added one more new face to his cabinet. Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx was nominated Monday to be the next Transportation Secretary.

Online Retailers Take Opposite Sides On Sales Tax Bill

Scott Horsley — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:09:00 +0000

More online retailers would have to collect sales tax under a bill making its way through the U.S. Senate this week. The measure won strong bipartisan backing on a procedural vote Monday, and President Obama has said he would sign it.

The political battle over the bill pits online retailers against brick-and-mortar stores — and, in some cases, against other online sellers.

Nancy Mashragi of Clearwater, Fla., backed in to online retailing.

Obama, Republicans Agree On Tax Loopholes, But Little Else

Scott Horsley — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 09:10:00 +0000

President Obama's newly released tax return shows his effective income tax rate was 18.4 percent last year. He'll likely pay a somewhat higher rate in 2013, and that tax bill would be even bigger if Congress were to adopt the recommendations in the president's own budget, unveiled this week.

The president signed his tax return last Monday, just one week before the deadline, and he's in good company.

In Colorado, Obama Pushes For Gun Control

Scott Horsley — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 09:11:00 +0000

President Obama was in Colorado Wednesday to highlight the state's gun control efforts as a model of what is possible for the country. Obama plans to visit Connecticut next week, to highlight that state's efforts.

Obama Highlights Colorado's Action On Gun Control Legislation

Scott Horsley — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 23:23:00 +0000

President Obama was in Denver on Wednesday to rally support for gun control laws. Colorado has stepped up on both background checks and ammunition magazines, and Democrats there fear backlash next year.

Outrage Alone Won't Advance Gun Control Measures

Scott Horsley — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 08:34:00 +0000

President Obama is trying to regain some traction for federal gun control measures by visiting states that are moving forward on their own.

On Wednesday, the president speaks in Colorado, where lawmakers recently passed a series of bills requiring background checks for all gun purchases and limiting the size of ammunition magazines.

Obama would like to see similar measures adopted nationwide.

Bipartisan Group Of Senators Could Have Immigration Bill Drafted By Next Week

Scott Horsley — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 21:17:00 +0000

Senators negotiating an overhaul of immigration laws turned to labor and business leaders to devise a new plan for guest workers, but not all of them are ready to commit to the plan those leaders have worked out.

U.S. Pledges $200 Million To Jordan To Aid With Syrian Refugees

Scott Horsley — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 20:56:00 +0000

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ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST:

This is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED, from NPR News. I'm Robert Siegel.

MELISSA BLOCK, HOST:

I'm Melissa Block. And first up this hour, President Obama's tour of the Middle East. There are two headlines from that trip today - new aid for people fleeing Syria's civil war; and new diplomatic ties between two of Washington's key allies in the region, Turkey and Israel. First, the aid money. The president met with Jordan's King Abdullah today.

Obama's 1st Day In Israel Was Rich In Symbolism

Scott Horsley — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 09:36:00 +0000

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STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

It's MORNING EDITION from NPR News. Good morning. I'm Steve Inskeep.

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

And I'm Renee Montagne.

Southern Israel today was struck by rockets fired from the Gaza Strip as President Obama began the second day of his visit to the region. The rockets underscored the challenges he faces there. Today Mr. Obama is visiting the West Bank, meeting with leaders of the Palestinian Authority, and also delivering a speech to the Israeli public.

Obama Stresses 'Unbreakable Alliance' On Visit To Israel

Scott Horsley — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 20:58:00 +0000

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ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST:

From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Robert Siegel.

MELISSA BLOCK, HOST:

And I'm Melissa Block.

(SOUNDBITE OF ISRAELI MILITARY BAND MUSIC)

BLOCK: A musical greeting today for President Obama, as he arrived at the airport in Tel Aviv. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was there, along with a military band. Israel is Obama's first stop on a four-day tour. Today, the president declared that despite big changes sweeping the Middle East, the U.S.

Obama Reaches Out To Republicans With Dinner Invitations

Scott Horsley — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 22:00:00 +0000

President Obama continued his outreach to congressional Republicans on Thursday with a lunch with Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, chairman of the Budget Committee and author of a plan to balance the budget in a decade.

Obama Looks For A Spring Thaw With Congress To Start Melting Deficit

Scott Horsley — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 08:05:00 +0000

President Obama is hoping for a spring thaw in White House-congressional relations.

The president had dinner Wednesday night with a small group of Republican lawmakers. He's also planning rare visits to Capitol Hill next week to discuss his agenda with both Democrats and Republicans.

Aides say Obama is trying to locate what he calls a "caucus of common sense" in Congress to tackle the country's long-term budget challenges.

With across-the-board spending cuts now on autopilot, there's a momentary lull in Washington's budget brinksmanship.

Obama's Pick For EPA Head The Most Likely To Cause Controversy

Scott Horsley — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 22:34:00 +0000

Gina McCarthy could find herself on the hot seat in the battle over global warming.

Obama Announces His Picks For EPA, Other Cabinet Posts

Scott Horsley — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 18:02:00 +0000

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STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

It's MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Steve Inskeep.

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

And I'm Renée Montagne. President Obama is to announce, or has just announced, three Cabinet-level nominations today - for the Energy Department, for the Office of Management and Budget, and the Environmental Protection Agency. It's that last one, for the EPA, that will likely be the biggest lightning rod during Senate confirmation hearings. NPR White House correspondent Scott Horsley is here with us now, to talk about the president's picks.

President Obama To Nominate New EPA, Budget And Energy Heads

Scott Horsley — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 11:02:00 +0000

President Obama plans to announce three Cabinet-level nominations Monday, including a new administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency, who could be on the hot seat in the looming battle over global warming.

Gina McCarthy, currently an assistant administrator in the wing of the EPA that regulates air pollution, is the president's pick to head the EPA.

Obama will also tap the director of MIT's Energy Initiative, Ernest Moniz, as his new energy secretary, and the president of the Walmart Foundation, Sylvia Mathews Burwell, to head the Office of Management and Budget.

The nominatio

Outgoing Energy Secretary Could Be Remembered For More Than Solyndra

Scott Horsley — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 21:32:00 +0000

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AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:

The outgoing energy secretary, Steven Chu, got a rousing ovation this week when he spoke at a summit on energy innovation. But his tenure has been clouded by the department's investment in alternative energy companies that later failed, most notably Solyndra. As Chu leaves office, his real legacy may be the government's ongoing search for energy breakthroughs.

What's The Sequester? And How Did We Get Here?

Scott Horsley — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 23:06:00 +0000

They've been everywhere this week: dire warnings about threats posed by across-the-board federal spending cuts.

Unless Congress acts, the cuts are due to take effect a week from Friday. The administration is trying to drive home the ways that could affect you.

For example, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood warned Friday that air traffic controllers will have to take unpaid days off beginning in April.

Defense Cuts May No Longer Be Political Sacred Cow

Scott Horsley — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 08:06:00 +0000

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has warned that the automatic spending cuts due to hit the Pentagon and other branches of government next week will damage U.S. national security.

In a letter to Congress, he said those cuts would put the military on a path toward a "hollow force." But the warnings don't appear to be moving the needle with lawmakers or the American public.

The automatic spending cuts don't officially take effect until March 1, but they are already being felt.

Automatic Spending Cut Would Cause 'Hardship' For People

Scott Horsley — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 11:31:00 +0000

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STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

It's MORNING EDITION from NPR News. Good morning, I'm Steve Inskeep.

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

And I'm Renee Montagne.

Today, the Pentagon is to notify Members of Congress about its plans to furlough some 800,000 civilian employees later this spring. That's just one dramatic consequence of the federal government's automatic spending cuts. Those cuts are due to take effect at the end of next week.