Topic: Social Policy
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
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Briefing
IRS 101: Seven questions about the tea party scandal
The Internal Revenue Service is under the microscope now, as revelations have emerged that the agency wrongly targeted conservative groups seeking nonprofit status. Here’s an accounting of what has happened, along with the ramifications.
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Five ways to improve Obama's pre-k plan
President Obama’s Preschool for All plan is well intentioned but includes features that are not justified by research and won’t help it pass in Congress. The plan must make the following five adjustments.
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5 myths about amnesty for illegal immigrants in Senate bill
Under a bipartisan Senate immigration bill, immigrants who have come to the United States illegally are given a "path to citizenship." On close inspection, each of the following five claims about the requirements for illegal immigrants to earn amnesty are not what they seem.
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Immigration reform bill: Top 8 changes GOP senators want
More than 300 amendments were submitted for possible inclusion in a sweeping immigration reform package – at least 100 of them from two Republicans, Sens. Charles Grassley of Iowa and Jeff Sessions of Alabama. Here are eight notable changes GOP lawmakers want to see in bill, as the Senate Judiciary Committee takes up amendments between now and Memorial Day.
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Immigration reform 101: How does Senate plan address four big questions?
After months of closed-door negotiations, the Senate’s bipartisan “Gang of Eight” offered a legislative summary of its proposal for comprehensive immigration reform. Here is how the Senate gang handled the four hottest immigration flashpoints.
All Content
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Will healthcare reform nix any Senate bipartisanship on other bills?
GOP senators who have been willing to work openly with Democrats say that the process for healthcare reform could end the prospects for bipartisanship elsewhere. Possibly at stake in the Senate: comprehensive immigration reform and financial regulation.
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Obama's Nobel Prize money: education groups to get most of it
Of the 10 charities receiving part of Obama's $1.4 million Nobel Prize award, six directly support higher education for student groups that are traditionally underserved.
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Healthcare reform: Obama to stick close to home to await vote
President Obama postpones next week's trip to Guam, Indonesia, and Australia. He'll stay around to help push a healthcare reform bill to the finish line.
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Uniform academic standards for US students: draft released
Academics and education officials have drafted a broad outline of academic standards in English and math. The standards could eventually replace the current patchwork of state standards.
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Massa to Glenn Beck and Larry King: 'I can't fight anymore.'
Former New York congressman Eric Massa went on Glenn Beck's show and 'Larry King Live Tuesday night, defending his decision to leave office and alleging a campaign to push him out for his opposition to healthcare reform.
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Rahm Emanuel controversy: White House fights image of turmoil
Is White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel a shrewd tactician or an official who should get the boot? The competing story lines have spun out in the press. Now, his name is also coming up in the mess involving just-resigned Rep. Eric Massa.
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Abortion could stymie healthcare reform legislation
Anti-abortion House Democrats – led by Rep. Bart Stupak – are threatening to vote against the healthcare reform bill because they believe it might allow federal funds to be used to pay for abortions.
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Healthcare reform: Obama's march is still on
President Obama is pushing for passage of healthcare reform by month’s end. Is ‘reconciliation’ that obscure?
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The Monitor's View: Immigration reform rests on a national worker ID
Obama's pursuit of immigration reform this year must focus on the bipartisan idea of a national worker ID. It would do more than the jobs bill to open up work for the unemployed.
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How states rank: Federal spending driven by census data
The distribution of more than $400 billion in federal spending is determined by census data. An analysis released Tuesday looks at which states get the most money per capita.
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To advance healthcare reform, Obama comes down on insurers
In his healthcare reform rally in Pennsylvania Monday, Obama vilified insurance companies for denying coverage and raising premiums. In defense, the insurance industry cites soaring costs.
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Obama administration: more civil rights enforcement in schools
The Obama administration intends to step up enforcement of civil rights laws that apply to schools. Education Secretary Arne Duncan made the announcement in a speech in Selma, Ala., timed to commemorate the 45th anniversary of civil rights marches there.
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Why Americans are so angry
From 'tea party' protesters to antiwar advocates, Americans on all sides of the political spectrum seem angry about something. But for all the tumult, the disaffection today is far less than in many periods in the past.
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Healthcare reform: Obama makes big push in Glenside, Pa.
At Arcadia University in Glenside, Pa., Obama acknowledged Monday that trying to pass healthcare reform will be a heavy political lift.
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Obama stumps for healthcare reform
President Obama visits Philadelphia and St. Louis this week to try bolster public approval of health care reform.
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Opinion: Healthcare reform must not ignore the Millennials
Healthcare reform will be a crucial test of the Millennial generation's pro-government sentiment. Congress can’t afford to lose the support of young voters.
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Reconciliation: why healthcare reform 'nuclear option' is deadly
Usually, 'reconciliation' seems like an arcane term. But the look on Senator Lindsey Graham's face when he discussed it Sunday shows how healthcare reform's 'nuclear option' could poison the already-poor state of bipartisanship in the Senate.
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Obama healthcare reform won't crush small business. It will help.
Under Obama's healthcare reform, subsidies, access to health exchanges, and some cost control add up to a win for most small business.
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Healthcare reform: 'Fixes' to bills are first major hurdle
House and Senate still have to work out tough issues on healthcare reform, including funding and abortion. The devil could be in the details – including 'fixes' House members want made to the Senate bill.
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February jobs report makes healthcare reform harder but more important
The February jobs report complicates Obama's bid got rally public support for healthcare. But the US still needs it.
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In healthcare summit, an epic battle of elephant vs. parrot
The healthcare reform debate is explained using the metaphor of an elephant and a parrot.
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Race to the Top: Which states made the list of finalists?
Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced Thursday that 15 states and the District of Columbia are finalists for Race to the Top education grants. The winners will be chosen in April.
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Healthcare reform: Three ways the House may derail Obama's plans
President Obama is meeting with House Democrats who could ruin his hopes for passing healthcare reform by Easter. Three groups, in particular, have significant reservations.
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The Monitor's View: Abortion and the health care bills: Let's welcome the debate
The issue of federal funding for abortions -- indeed abortion itself -- can't be ignored. This divisive issue needs legislative solutions, not more court decisions.
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Republicans rage against reconciliation for healthcare reform
Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell vowed to fight any Democratic effort to pass healthcare reform on an 'up-or-down' vote. The process, called reconciliation, is fraught with difficulties.
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