To the Point
Is Political Gridlock a Threat to Governance?
Political gridlock is pushing Washington toward financial catastrophe if the two parties can't agree to raise the debt ceiling by August 2. Now there's potential gridlock over finance reform....
By Warren Olney • • 50m ListenPolitical gridlock is pushing Washington closer to financial catastrophe if the two parties can't agree to raise the debt ceiling by August 2. Now there's potential gridlock over implementing last year's finance reform. Elizabeth Warren is out as head of the new Consumer Protection Bureau. Will that be enough for Republicans? Is Washington losing the ability to govern? Also, Minnesota's Governor signs the budget, ending the government shutdown. On Reporter's Notebook, America's weather is not what it used to be.
Banner image: President Barack Obama walks out of the Oval Office with Consumer Financial Protection Bureau founder Elizabeth Warren (L) and Richard Cordray to announce Cordray's nomination to head the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on July 18, 2011. Photo by Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesMinnesota Governor Signs Budget, Ending Shutdown
The government of Minnesota is open for business today after being shut down since the first of July. But, as Democrats and Republicans debate who won and who lost, state officials say services won't be available all at once. They're asking for patience. Doug Grow is a veteran political reporter now based at MinnPost.com .
Read the story8 minPolitical Gridlock and the Fight over the Consumer Watchdog Agency
The debt ceiling and deficit aren't the only issues subject to partisan gridlock in Congress. Last year, with majorities in both houses of Congress, Democrats passed finance reform . This year, Republicans are hell-bent to change it.
Read the story35 minThe Heat Wave and Global Warming
There's a heat wave in the eastern two-thirds of the United States that's likely to continue into August, along with a widespread lack of rain that's created severe drought conditions. What does it mean for the future?
Read the story8 min
