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Politics & Government | Civic life and citizen issues in Southern California.

Well-funded Democrats target 4 GOP seats in OC

Four Orange County congressional seats are central to Democrats' effort to retake the U.S. House of Representatives. Each Republican faces several well-funded challengers. Mary Plummer and Sandra Oshiro
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Recent Politics coverage

Senate Democrats, White House Agree To Tighter Income Limits For Stimulus Checks

Kelsey Snell | NPR |

Moderate Democrats have demanded that the $1,400 stimulus checks be targeted at low- and moderate-income people. The change, if adopted, means the House will need to vote again on the package.

Ronny Jackson 'Bullied' Subordinates And Broke Alcohol Rules, Pentagon Report Finds

Bill Chappell | NPR |

During a presidential trip, the report says, the former White House physician made inappropriate comments about a female subordinate, then got drunk and banged on her door in the middle of the night.

DOD Took Hours To Approve National Guard Request During Capitol Riot, Commander Says

Alana Wise | NPR |

Maj. Gen. William Walker said the Department of Defense took three hours to approve deploying the National Guard to the Capitol on Jan. 6 after a "frantic" request from Capitol Police.

How The White House Got 2 Pharma Rivals To Work Together On COVID-19 Vaccine

Tamara Keith | NPR |

A 15-minute call with J&J executives on a Sunday afternoon stretched into a 75-minute turning point. "We have to take bold action and overwhelm this," a senior official said.

Audio

Trump's Baseless 2020 Conspiracies Complicate Ohio Effort To Buy Voting Machines

Nick Castele | NPR |

Trump and his allies' false claims about Dominion Voting Systems are leading elected officials in one Ohio county to slow down an effort to procure new voting equipment.

The Jan. 6 Riot Could Have Brought Lawmakers Together. It Did The Opposite

Susan Davis | NPR |

Democrats and Republicans can agree to very little about the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, including how to investigate it. The fallout is impacting the ability to work across party lines.

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Congressional Panels Examine Military's Role In Insurrection, New Security Funding

Claudia Grisales | NPR |

The Senate Rules and Homeland Security committees will hear from top military officials on their role in the insurrection. This, as a House panel weighs new Capitol security spending.

More Politics

Neera Tanden Withdraws As Nominee For Office Of Management And Budget

Brian Naylor and Alana Wise | NPR |

The former head of the Center for American Progress was criticized for tweets disparaging some lawmakers. President Biden said in a statement he accepted Tanden's request.

Stacey Abrams On Why Securing Voting Rights Is As Necessary Now As In The Past

Ailsa Chang | NPR |

In the wake of the historic 2020 election turnout, state legislatures across the U.S. are considering bills to make it harder to vote. Activist Stacey Abrams warns of a return to Jim Crow-era laws.

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Biden Says U.S. Will Have Vaccine Supply For All Adults By May, Prioritizes Teachers

Alana Wise | NPR |

President Biden moves his timeline up by two months while directing all 50 states and the District of Columbia to move school workers up in line for vaccinations, beginning next week.

House Lawmakers Launch Fresh Efforts To Overhaul Nation's Gun Laws

Juana Summers | NPR |

A bipartisan group of House lawmakers is introducing a measure that would require background checks for all gun sales.

FBI Director Wray Testifies Before Congress For 1st Time Since Capitol Attack

Ryan Lucas | NPR |

Christopher Wray is expected to face a barrage of questions about the FBI's response to domestic violent extremists and the Jan. 6 insurrection. Watch the Senate Judiciary hearing live at 10 a.m. ET.

Georgia House Passes Elections Bill That Would Limit Absentee And Early Voting

Stephen Fowler | NPR |

The Republican bill would enact more restrictions for absentee voting and cut back on weekend early voting hours favored by larger counties, among other changes.

From The U.S. Capitol To Local Governments, Disinformation Disrupts

Sarah McCammon and Liz Baker | NPR |

Political scientists say growing acceptance of unfounded conspiracy theories is fueling disengagement and distrust in democratic institutions, an effect that is trickling down to local politics.

At Black History Event, Harris Champions COVID-19 Bill For Its Aid To Black Americans

Jason Slotkin | NPR |

The vice president touted how President Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package would benefit Black Americans hit disproportionately hard by the coronavirus.

Syria Airstrikes Resurface Lawmakers' Questions Over Presidential Authority

Alana Wise | NPR |

Some Democrats raised a longstanding debate over presidential vs congressional reach. The administration called the attacks proportionate and said it had briefed congressional leaders ahead of time.