To the Point
A Divided Congress Gets to Work before Winter Break
Another deadline for important legislation in Congress, and opportunities for each party to embarrass the other. What's at stake in the latest example of...
By Warren Olney • • 50m ListenAnother holiday means another deadline for important legislation in Congress, and opportunities for each political party to embarrass the other. We hear what's at stake for the latest example of dysfunctional government. Also, President Obama salutes returning troops at Ft. Bragg, and an influential government agency says it's not just texting, updating Facebook or watching movies, but any use of cell phones by drivers that ought to be banned by drivers.
Banner image: House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) (L) speaks as House Republican Conference Chairman Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) (R) listens during a news conference December 13, 2011 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesObama Salutes Returning Troops at Ft. Bragg
President Obama who won office in part by opposing the war in Iraq today celebrated its end with thanks to a crowd of soldiers at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The President alluded to nine years of controversy over the war but told the soldiers their sacrifices help to unify the country.
Read the story7 minHoliday Sausage-Making on Capitol Hill
Last night, the Republican House passed a bill extending payroll tax cuts and unemployment insurance. An hour later, the Senate's Democratic Leader, Harry Reid, called it " dead on arrival ." Deadline gamesmanship is under way in both houses of Congress. Bills that "must pass" before the holiday recess are loaded with so-called "poison pills."
Read the story35 minShould All Use of Cell Phones While Driving Be Banned?
Some proportion of American drivers think it's up to them to decide if they can text, tweet or talk on a cell phone while they're behind the wheel. Now, after investigating numerous crashes, the National Transportation Safety Board says that talking on wireless head sets while driving a car is just as dangerous as holding the phone to the ear,…
Read the story9 min
