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Huffington Post
Washington correspondent for the Huffington Post
PROFILE
Jennifer Bendery
Guest
FROM Jennifer Bendery
To the Point
Feds to Limit Military-Style Weapons for Police Forces During protests over last year's shooting death of Michael Brown, police in Ferguson, Missouri rolled out armored tanks and riot gear. A White House working group concluded that over-reaction made the situation dramatically worse. Today, President Obama announced a ban on providing certain military equipment to local police. Jennifer Bendery, who covers the White House and Congress for the Huffington Post , has details.
To the Point
Escalation of Violence in Ferguson Missouri For more than 10 days, heavily armed officers in body armor and SWAT vehicles have clashed with protesters in Ferguson, Missouri. The use of military equipment against peaceful protesters backfired on local police, producing an escalation of violence. Members of Congress, including presidential prospect Rand Paul, are pointing fingers at the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security. Washington gives heavy weapons, riot gear and armored personnel carriers to police forces who aren’t trained to use them, even if they needed to. We’ll hear how long-term policies have led to unintended consequences.
To the Point
Obama Stays on Offense on the Payroll Tax Cut Yesterday, House Republican leaders backed off their insistence on spending reductions to cover renewal of the two percent cut in the payroll tax, scheduled to lapse at the end of this month. Today, President Obama sounded skeptical . "You can't take anything for granted here in Washington until my signature is actually on it… So we've got to keep making sure the American people's voices keep breaking through, until this is absolutely, finally, completely done." Jennifer Bendery is Washington correspondent for the Washington Post .
To the Point
Obama Names Consumer Watchdog by Recess Appointment over GOP Opposition President Obama today appointed Richard Cordray as head of the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Republicans have been blocking the action for months but, with Congress out of town, the Chief Executive is empowered to make what’s called a “recess appointment.”
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To the Point
White House budget proposal slashes and burns President Trump's first budget request is considered dead on arrival in Congress — a familiar development in Capitol Hill. We hear what it reveals about the priorities of the new administration. What's likely to die… and what might survive?
To the Point
The longest US war: Will Trump send more troops to Afghanistan? The Trump White House is divided over the Pentagon's request for more troops in Afghanistan—where the US has been fighting for the past 16 years. Is there a formula -- either for "victory" or a political settlement? Is there an end in sight for America's longest war?
To the Point
Replacing Obamacare: Now you see it… now you don’t As the Senate deliberates replacing Obmacare, health coverage for millions of people is at stake. There've been no public hearings, and a draft measure won't be made public. Is the House version so unpopular that that Senate is hiding a version that looks much the same?