To the Point
With Shutdown Looming, Congress Plays the Blame Game
As the clock ticks toward midnight, the public debate between Democrats and Republicans has been more about politics than avoiding a partial shutdown of government services.
By Warren Olney • • 51m ListenAs the clock ticks toward midnight tonight, the public debate between Democrats and Republicans has been more about politics than avoiding a partial shutdown of government services. We look at potential settlement options, and at where the pain of a shutdown would be felt most. Also, the Justice Department files suit to stop North Carolina's voter ID law, and just as President Obama has taken both praise and heat for trying diplomacy with Iran, President Rouhani's "charm offensive" is getting some mixed reviews in his country.
Banner image: House Speaker John Boehner addresses the government showdown over the Affordable Care Act. Official photo: Caleb Smith
In this episode
3 storiesJustice Department Files Suit to Stop NC's Voter ID Law
North Carolina recently passed the toughest voting laws in the country, reducing early voting and same-day registration and limiting the types of voter identification that can be used at polling places. Today, US Attorney General Eric Holder filed suit to revoke such provisions.
Read the story8 minBrinksmanship and the Blame Game
Before anyone knew for sure there would be a government shutdown at midnight tonight, Democrats and Republicans were blaming each other. At least in public, there was more talk about political fallout than there was about making a deal, with polls showing Republicans faring the worst.
Read the story34 minUS and Iran Talk after Three Decades of Silence
President Obama spoke by phone last week with the new President of Iran, who was in New York for the United Nations' opening session. It was the first such conversation since Iran’s Islamic revolutionaries took over the US Embassy in Tehran 35 years ago.
Read the story9 min
