Politics
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Gabby Giffords Again Calls on Congress to Act on Gun Control
Former Arizona Rep. Gabby Giffords is once again calling on Congress to step up and act on gun violence once and for all, the Associated Press reports. Giffords, in a new ad that is expected to air immediately before and after the president’s speech, faces the camera and states, “Congress is afraid of the gun…
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Obama to Raise Minimum Wage for Some Federal Contractors
President Obama will sign an executive order that will raise the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour for some federal contract workers, USA Today reports. While it is expected that Tuesday’s State of the Union speech from the president will emphasize his desire to work with Congress on legislation to increase the federal minimum wage…
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If the SOTU Were Like High School, Who Would Be ‘Most Likely To’?
We all watch the State of the Union to hear the president lay out his policies for the coming year. But just because the policy is serious doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun. If the State of the Union were a high school class, these would be the superlatives. Most Likely to Nod…
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What Obama Should Say to Congress Tonight
For President Obama, questions before the State of the Union abound about what, exactly, a State of the Union is supposed to be: halftime locker-room speech or the loser’s postgame press conference. What we do know is that the yearly exercise now known more as #SOTU (because it’s easier like that) is a window into…
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5 Things to Listen for in Obama’s State of the Union
For four years, President Barack Obama has offered his State of the Union address in a time-honored format that follows the trend set by most of his predecessors: with a laundry list of policy plans that he has hoped to rally Congress to pass. This year, though, he’s expected to try a variation on that…
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Cory Booker: Super Bowl Is Not in New York
Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) is tired of people getting their geography of New York and New Jersey mixed up when covering the Super Bowl, Politico reports. Although the MetLife Stadium, which will host this year’s NFL championship, is home to the New York Giants and the New York Jets, it is, in fact, located in…
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Tea Party Rep. Trey Radel to Resign
Updated Mon., Jan. 27, 12 p.m. EST: Rep. Trey Radel has officially sent in his letter of resignation to House Speaker John Boehner. In the brief letter, Radel spoke of his “personal struggles” that had “serious consequences” that pushed him to resign. “It is my belief that professionally I cannot fully and effectively serve as…
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First Lady Invites Jason Collins and Boston Bombing Survivors to State of the Union
On Monday the White House officially announced the first round of guests to be seated in the first lady’s box during the State of the Union. Two who will be there: Boston-bombing survivors Carlos Arredondo and Jeff Bauman—the two men seen in the heart-wrenching photo in which Arredondo, in a white cowboy hat, helped wheel…
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12 Guaranteed Obama-isms You’ll Notice at the State of the Union
The State of the Union is a big deal for obvious reasons—but we won’t just be watching to hear about President Barack Obama’s latest proposals. Obama’s patented speechmaking mannerisms make watching the SOTU all the more fun. So we’ve gathered a list of our favorite Obama-isms that you’re most likely to catch Tuesday night. 1.…
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President Obama Ready to Bypass Congress
In an effort to close the gap between rich and poor Americans, President Barack Obama is poised to take unilateral action, the Associated Press reported Sunday. The president will face a fractious Congress when he delivers Tuesday’s State of the Union address, but he will seize the moment to demand expanded economic opportunity and seek…