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ProPublica
Covering politics and government for ProPublica. Former senior editor at The New Republic, covering domestic policy and national politics; former national political reporter for the Washington Post.
PROFILE
Alec MacGillis
Guest
FROM Alec MacGillis
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
No one's home at HUD? Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson is touring the storm devastation in Texas. But will he be able to offer meaningful help to the thousands of people who may need it in the coming months? His agency is underfunded and understaffed.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Did the collapse of immigration reform give rise to Trump? Immigration has been one of the most contentious issues this election season. The nation is starkly divided along party lines when it comes to the issue. But in 2012, there was a glimmer of hope for immigration reform – a bipartisan group of eight members of Congress came up with a workable plan to fix the immigration system. It failed. How did that effort collapse and did that give rise to Donald Trump?
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Militarization of Police The images coming out of Ferguson in the past few days show police in riot gear, atop tanks, and holding what look like sniper rifles. Many of the officers look like they could be soldiers in Iraq or Afghanistan. That’s not a coincidence. Since 9/11, the Department of Homeland Security has been providing millions of dollars in cash and supplies to local police departments.
To the Point
Poverty and Politics in an Election Year Fifty years after Lyndon Johnson's War on Poverty, President Obama says "the defining challenge of our generation” is income inequality. Both parties claim they want action, but even extending benefits to the 1.3 million long-term unemployed may be more than the Senate and Congress can manage. If there's no action on Capitol Hill, that number will rise by 72,000 people a week. Last week, six Republican Senators agreed to allow a bill to come to the floor. Now they're outraged at Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid. Have Democrats mismanaged an issue that could help them in November's elections? Will Republicans take the blame anyway? We hear the latest about voter sentiment and a clash of opinions on other proposals, including a raise in the minimum wage.
To the Point
Wisconsin Governor Walker Survives Recall In yesterday's recall election, Wisconsin's Republican Governor Scott Walker faced the Democratic Mayor of Milwaukee, Tom Barrett . It was a re-run of the election in November of 2010, and the results looked almost the same. What does it mean for the future of organized labor and the prospects for the presidential election?
Which Way, L.A.?
Last-minute Abortion Deal in Healthcare Reform Bill Late Saturday, a provision was added to the healthcare bill passed by the House that has sharpened the battle in the abortion debate. The provision blocks the use of federal subsidies for insurance that covers elective abortions. It’s been called one of the most significant victories for abortion opponents in recent years. Alec MacGillis of the Washington Post explains how the new restrictions wound up in the bill.
To the Point
Last-minute Abortion Deal in Healthcare Reform Bill Late Saturday, a provision was added to the healthcare bill passed by the House that has sharpened the battle in the abortion debate. The provision blocks the use of federal subsidies for insurance that covers elective abortions. It’s been called one of the most significant victories for abortion opponents in recent years. Alec MacGillis of the Washington Post explains how the new restrictions wound up in the bill.
Which Way, L.A.?
Republicans Find Their Voice in Opposition The President has reached out to Republicans, but bipartisanship has hardly been mutual. In fact, the Republicans say opposition to the stimulus package has them back in the game. Congressman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin told the Washington Post , “We're so far ahead of where we thought we'd be at this time.” Reporter Alec MacGillis wrote the story.
To the Point
Republicans Find Their Voice in Opposition With his stimulus package in trouble, President Obama hit the campaign trail today, and will keep up the pressure tomorrow. But despite his overwhelming popularity, Republicans have done as much as he has to frame the issues. What are they gaining by saying “no?” After November’s political drubbing, Republicans were looking at much more than just a winter of discontent. But Congressman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin says, “We’re so far ahead of where we thought we’d be at this time.” That’s according to today’s Washington Post, in a story by Alec MacGillis.
Which Way, L.A.?
Will Federal Money Mean Economic Recovery? President-elect Barack Obama wants a federal spending program comparable to the Interstate highway system, created during the 1950's. But it won't look like his campaign promise to "rebuild America," at least not right away. The sagging economy has put a premium on speed, rather than the kind of projects that make for a historic legacy. What kinds of projects will be involved? What are the benefits and risks for private businesses and for consumers?
To the Point
Will Federal Money Mean Economic Recovery? Barack Obama wants to "hit the ground running" with massive spending to "jolt" the sagging economy and create or save 2.5 million jobs, with a federal spending program comparable to Roosevelt's New Deal and Eisenhower's Interstate highway system, created during the 1950's. Obama's plan to improve highways and bridges, build schools and promote green technology with federal money funneled through states, counties and cities won't look like his campaign promise to "rebuild America" — at least not right away. The sagging economy has put a premium on speed, rather than the kind of projects that make for a historic legacy. Critics contend the US can't spend its way to economic recovery. What kinds of projects will be involved? We look at the benefits and the risks for private businesses and for consumers.
Recommended
To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.
Left, Right & Center
President Trump: US to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord Trump says he was elected to serve Pittsburgh, not Paris.
To the Point
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.
To the Point
Who's to blame for the opioid crisis? Some of the lawyers who took on Big Tobacco are now going after Big Pharma. It’s all about the deadly epidemic of opioid use. Are the drug companies to blame? What about the users? Later, on today’s Talking Point: making sense of Britain’s upset election.