Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke spoke at the University of Michigan’s Gerald Ford School of Public Policy about a number of topics related to the U.S. economy, including the “fiscal cliff” agreement, economic recovery, and the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy role. He called on Congress to raise the debt ceiling immediately so the U.S. could pay its bills. He was interviewed by Dean Susan Collins and responded to questions from members of the audience and from Twitter.
This was “Policy Talks @ the Ford School” event was held in Rackham Auditorium.
The “fiscal cliff” agreement reached earlier in the month included extension of most Bush-era tax cuts and of unemployment aid while delaying automatic spending cuts for two months.

1 hours, 4 minutes | 391 Views

Telephone lines were open for comments on a question related to President Obama’s statement that he would not negotiate with Republicans on raising the debt ceiling: “Is the debt ceiling negotiable?”

0 hours, 44 minutes | 76 Views

Representative Scott Rigell (R-VA) talked about the agenda for the 113th Congress, and he responded to telephone calls and electronic communication. He said he originally ran for the House with the opinion that federal budget deficits were caused by too much federal spending. Based on his first-term experience in Congress, however, he concluded that budget deficits were a combination of too much spending and insufficient revenue. He said he supports President Obama as the commander in chief, but he was disappointed that he did not seek budget cuts in addition to tax increases in the legislation passed to avert the “fiscal cliff.” He also discussed raising the debt ceiling.
Nancy Calo read news headlines from C-SPAN Radio at the end of the program.

0 hours, 49 minutes | 203 Views

Representative Matthew Cartwright (D-PA) talked about the legislative agenda for the 113th Congress, and he responded to telephone calls and electronic communications.
Nancy Calo read news headlines from C-SPAN Radio at the end of the program.

0 hours, 43 minutes | 149 Views

Telephone lines were open for viewer comments.

0 hours, 31 minutes | 81 Views

Members of the House read the Constitution aloud. This was the second time the document was read on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

1 hours, 10 minutes | 2,368 Views

Representative Scott Rigell (R-VA) talked about the agenda for the 113th Congress, and he responded to telephone calls and electronic communication. He said he originally ran for the House with the opinion that federal budget deficits were caused by too much federal spending. Based on his first-term experience in Congress, however, he concluded that budget deficits were a combination of too much spending and insufficient revenue. He said he supports President Obama as the commander in chief, but he was disappointed that he did not seek budget cuts in addition to tax increases in the legislation passed to avert the “fiscal cliff.” He also discussed raising the debt ceiling.
Nancy Calo read news headlines from C-SPAN Radio at the end of the program.

0 hours, 47 minutes | 203 Views

The House passed a bill that would provide relief for victims of Hurricane Sandy.

9 hours, 20 minutes | 475 Views

Panelists talked about the various natural and human-made issues impacting the Gulf Coast, including potential future disasters. U.S. Geological Survey Director Marcia McNutt said that people should not live below sea-level due to “extreme events” and the gradual rise of sea level. In addition, the panel discussed potential vulnerabilities to hurricanes and other disasters due to loss in wetlands and degradation of ecological barriers. 
“The Gulf Coast: Diverse Converging Issues” was a plenary session of 13th National Conference on Science, Policy and the Environment, titled “Disasters and Environment: Science, Preparedness, and Resilience,” held for three days in the Ronald Reagan Building by the National Council for Science and the Environment.

1 hours, 1 minutes | 189 Views

Adam Winkler talked about the 2nd Amendment and reviewed how the Supreme Court has ruled in gun cases.
This program was part of a two-day “Summit on Reducing Gun Violence in America: Informing Policy with Evidence and Analysis,” held at Johns Hopkins University in the wake of the Newtown, Connecticut, school shooting on December 14, 2012.

0 hours, 21 minutes | 193 Views

Colleen L. Barry, associate professor and associate chair for Research and Practice in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, talks about findings from a 2013 survey on gun violence.
Johns Hopkins University scholars today announced a series of recommendations on gun control. The proposals include an assault weapons ban, universal background checks and a ban on high capacity magazines. Johns Hopkins School of Public Health just concluded a two-day conference on gun violence.

0 hours, 35 minutes | 112 Views

The House debated Hurricane Sandy disaster assistance.

1 hours, 4 minutes | 77 Views

Panelists talked about the various natural and human-made issues impacting the Gulf Coast, including potential future disasters. U.S. Geological Survey Director Marcia McNutt said that people should not live below sea-level due to “extreme events” and the gradual rise of sea level. In addition, the panel discussed potential vulnerabilities to hurricanes and other disasters due to loss in wetlands and degradation of ecological barriers. 
“The Gulf Coast: Diverse Converging Issues” was a plenary session of 13th National Conference on Science, Policy and the Environment, titled “Disasters and Environment: Science, Preparedness, and Resilience,” held for three days in the Ronald Reagan Building by the National Council for Science and the Environment.

1 hours, 0 minutes | 189 Views

Adam Winkler talked about the 2nd Amendment and reviewed how the Supreme Court has ruled in gun cases.
This program was part of a two-day “Summit on Reducing Gun Violence in America: Informing Policy with Evidence and Analysis,” held at Johns Hopkins University in the wake of the Newtown, Connecticut, school shooting on December 14, 2012.

0 hours, 21 minutes | 193 Views

Colleen L. Barry, associate professor and associate chair for Research and Practice in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, talks about findings from a 2013 survey on gun violence.
Johns Hopkins University scholars today announced a series of recommendations on gun control. The proposals include an assault weapons ban, universal background checks and a ban on high capacity magazines. Johns Hopkins School of Public Health just concluded a two-day conference on gun violence.

0 hours, 35 minutes | 112 Views

The House debated Hurricane Sandy disaster assistance.

1 hours, 4 minutes | 77 Views

The House debated Representative Frelinghuysen’s amendment to the Hurricane Sandy disaster assistance bill.

0 hours, 20 minutes | 40 Views

Members of the House read the Constitution aloud.*This was the second time the document was read on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

1 hours, 7 minutes | 656 Views

The House Rules Committee met to set guidelines for the floor debate on H.R. 152, the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2013, a bill making supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes. 
The Senate had passed the $60 billion Hurricane Sandy relief funding requested by President Obama before the end of the 112th Congress. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Harold Rogers (R-KY) proposed $17 billion in Hurricane Sandy relief funding and House Republicans proposed a number of amendments, including those that would require billions of dollars in aid to be offset by spending cuts.

1 hours, 42 minutes | 240 Views

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights held a briefing in preparation for an annual report, 2013 Statutory Enforcement Report: Sexual Assault in the Military, to assess the efforts of the Department of Defense to ensure justice in the military’s investigations of sexual assault allegations, its discipline of perpetrators, and its efforts to address and reduce discrimination against women in the military. 

1 hours, 26 minutes | 169 Views

Panelists talked about bolstering job growth in manufacturing industry. Topics included corporate tax rates, vocational education and internships, and the gap between workers' jobs skills and employer needs. 
This forum was part of a Brookings Institution forum titled “Fostering Growth Through Innovation.”

1 hours, 31 minutes | 273 Views

Panelists talked about resolving uncertainty in the federal government budget process in order to promote innovation. 
This forum was part of a Brookings Institution forum titled “Fostering Growth Through Innovation.”

1 hours, 22 minutes | 169 Views

The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Missouri v. McNeely to weigh the public’s interest in driving and highway safety against the privacy rights of the individual in deciding if police officers can force suspected drunk drivers to give a blood sample without first obtaining a warrant. 
This case was on appeal from the Missouri Supreme Court, which sided with the motorist McNeely in agreeing that the taking of his blood without a search warrant was unreasonable under the Fourth Amendment’s ban against unreasonable searches and seizures. Missouri prosecutors and the government were asking the Court to set aside the requirement for a search warrant arguing that since alcohol dissipates in the blood, a police officer should not take the time to get a warrant from a judge.
Audio of the arguments was presented with visual still images of participants. Justice Thomas did not speak.

1 hours, 0 minutes | 559 Views

Panelists talked about the role of federal government in economic growth. They cautioned against over-regulation as the nation looked to increase economic growth and job creation.
Both Philip Knight and Robert Taubman criticized the complexity of the Dodd-Frank financial law. The discussion was one of three panels at Brookings forum on jobs and the economy titled “Fostering Growth Through Innovation.”

1 hours, 14 minutes | 405 Views

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I) and Governor Martin O’Malley (D-MD) spoke at a day-long forum on policy options for reducing gun violence in the wake of the Newtown, Connecticut, school shooting on December 14, 2012.
He urged Congress and the White House to enact a number of proposals aimed at reducing gun violence, and accused Congress of hampering gun control efforts by restricting access to information on gun-related crimes. 
Governor Martin O’Malley announced his effort to strengthen the gun laws in his state.

0 hours, 42 minutes | 1,041 Views

Panelists presented research on gun violence. Dr. Miller compared gun violence in the U.S. to other countries. Professor Cook presented his findings on the effectiveness gun regulations, including the Brady law by video link from Durham, North Carolina.
This program was part of a two-day “Summit on Reducing Gun Violence in America: Informing Policy with Evidence and Analysis,” held at Johns Hopkins University in the wake of the Newtown, Connecticut, school shooting on December 14, 2012.

0 hours, 47 minutes | 322 Views

Panelists talked about Venezuela’s political future. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez had been ill since undergoing a cancer-related surgery in December 2012. The Venezuelan National Assembly approved a his request to postpone his January 10, 2013, inauguration for a new term in office, raising further speculation about the health of President Chavez. Topics included the political and economic uncertainty in Venezuela, the choices facing the opposition, and the role of the United States. The panelists responded to questions from members of the audience.
“Venezuela’s Uncertain Future” was held at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace by the Council of the Americas.

1 hours, 13 minutes | 234 Views

House Ways and Means Ranking Member Representative Sander Levin (D-MI) talked about the agenda for the 113th Congress at a Christian Science Monitor Breakfast event at the St.*Regis Hotel. He also responded to questions from the audience.

1 hours, 2 minutes | 35 Views

Jay Carney briefed reporters and answered questions. He said that President Obama would announce the next day the proposals of the White House task force on reducing gun violence. Questions from the press included the recommendations by Vice President Biden on reducing gun violence, immigration reform, and the inauguration.

0 hours, 34 minutes | 964 Views

Governor Sam Brownback (R) gave the annual state of the state address to a joint session of the legislature. He addressed a projected shortfall in the next year’s budget by suggesting that a temporary increase in the state sales tax not be allowed to expire as scheduled.
Courtesy of KPPS-TV.

0 hours, 29 minutes | 352 Views

House Ways and Means Ranking Member Representative Sander Levin (D-MI) talked about the agenda for the 113th Congress at a Christian Science Monitor Breakfast event at the St.*Regis Hotel. He also responded to questions from the audience.

1 hours, 2 minutes | 35 Views

Panelists talked about bolstering job growth in manufacturing industry. Topics included corporate tax rates, vocational education and internships, and the gap between workers' jobs skills and employer needs. 
This forum was part of a Brookings Institution forum titled “Fostering Growth Through Innovation.”

1 hours, 30 minutes | 273 Views

Panelists talked about resolving uncertainty in the federal government budget process in order to promote innovation. 
This forum was part of a Brookings Institution forum titled “Fostering Growth Through Innovation.”

1 hours, 20 minutes | 169 Views

The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Missouri v. McNeely to weigh the public’s interest in driving and highway safety against the privacy rights of the individual in deciding if police officers can force suspected drunk drivers to give a blood sample without first obtaining a warrant. 
This case was on appeal from the Missouri Supreme Court, which sided with the motorist McNeely in agreeing that the taking of his blood without a search warrant was unreasonable under the Fourth Amendment’s ban against unreasonable searches and seizures. Missouri prosecutors and the government were asking the Court to set aside the requirement for a search warrant arguing that since alcohol dissipates in the blood, a police officer should not take the time to get a warrant from a judge.
Audio of the arguments was presented with visual still images of participants. Justice Thomas did not speak.

1 hours, 0 minutes | 559 Views

House Ways and Means Ranking Member Representative Sander Levin (D-MI) talked about the agenda for the 113th Congress at a Christian Science Monitor Breakfast event at the St.*Regis Hotel. He also responded to questions from the audience.

1 hours, 2 minutes | 35 Views

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell (R) gave the annual state of the commonwealth address to a joint General Assembly session in the Virginia House of Delegates. He talked about transportation funding, education innovation, Virginia’s budget and economy, and mental health. He also criticizes the uncertainty in Washington, D.C., and the increases to the national debt.

0 hours, 53 minutes | 612 Views

Panelists talked about bolstering job growth in manufacturing industry. Topics included corporate tax rates, vocational education and internships, and the gap between workers' jobs skills and employer needs. 
This forum was part of a Brookings Institution forum titled “Fostering Growth Through Innovation.”

1 hours, 30 minutes | 273 Views

Panelists talked about resolving uncertainty in the federal government budget process in order to promote innovation. 
This forum was part of a Brookings Institution forum titled “Fostering Growth Through Innovation.”

1 hours, 21 minutes | 169 Views

Superintendents talked about effective ways that school systems could implement Common Core State standards, adopted by 45 states and the District of Columbia, that allow states to accurately compare standardized test scores across the country and internationally. They also discussed the need and importance of training and providing support for teachers in the initiative. David Coleman challenged the initiative on the grounds that the program was a costly “mediocre” program that would not prepare students for college. Panelists answered questions from the audience about the cost to states of the program, room the possibility for extended programs such as summer school, and competency-based instruction.

1 hours, 33 minutes | 736 Views

Supporters of the “Occupy Movement” talked about the state and future of the movement. The Occupy Movement began in 2011 as a protest movement against social and economic inequality. Topics included the electoral process and the ability of the Obama administration and the Democratic Party to address the issues important to the movement. The panelists responded to questions from members of the audience.
This was an event in the Ideas Matter series hosted by the Political Science Department of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Boston Review.

1 hours, 23 minutes | 559 Views

Margareta Wahlstrom and Craig Fugate spoke at a conference on the impact and response of natural and man-made disasters, along with environmental challenges, to help develop recommendations and solutions for scientists and policymakers. Mr. Fugate warned that budget constraints would make it difficult to get federal aid after a disaster. He emphasized the need for local communities to have better tools to manage risk. 
These were the opening keynote addresses of 13th National Conference on Science, Policy and the Environment, titled “Disasters and Environment: Science, Preparedness, and Resilience,” held for three days in the Ronald Reagan Building by the National Council for Science and the Environment.

1 hours, 15 minutes | 398 Views

Scientific, business and government leaders examined the impact of the 2011 earthquake off the coast of Japan that triggered a series of events from tsunami to the meltdown of Fukushima nuclear power plant. Topics included business recovery and the use of nuclear power.
“Japan 2011: Cascading Disasters” was a plenary session of 13th National Conference on Science, Policy and the Environment, titled “Disasters and Environment: Science, Preparedness, and Resilience,” held for three days in the Ronald Reagan Building by the National Council for Science and the Environment.

0 hours, 49 minutes | 117 Views

Panelists talked about the various natural and human-made issues impacting the Gulf Coast, including potential future disasters. U.S. Geological Survey Director Marcia McNutt said that people should not live below sea-level due to “extreme events” and the gradual rise of sea level. In addition, the panel discussed potential vulnerabilities to hurricanes and other disasters due to loss in wetlands and degradation of ecological barriers. 
“The Gulf Coast: Diverse Converging Issues” was a plenary session of 13th National Conference on Science, Policy and the Environment, titled “Disasters and Environment: Science, Preparedness, and Resilience,” held for three days in the Ronald Reagan Building by the National Council for Science and the Environment.

1 hours, 1 minutes | 189 Views

Scientific and government officials discussed the complexity of aridity and drought. U.S. Geological Survey research scientist Margaret Redsteer said climate change would affect not only the magnitude but the severity and duration of droughts. Topics included the economic impacts from wild fires throughout the U.S. in 2012 to the famines that impact sub-Saharan Africa. 
“Aridity and Drought and their Consequences” was a plenary session of 13th National Conference on Science, Policy and the Environment, titled “Disasters and Environment: Science, Preparedness, and Resilience,” held for three days in the Ronald Reagan Building by the National Council for Science and the Environment.

0 hours, 58 minutes | 132 Views

Representative Scott Rigell (R-VA) talked about the agenda for the 113th Congress, and he responded to telephone calls and electronic communication. He said he originally ran for the House with the opinion that federal budget deficits were caused by too much federal spending. Based on his first-term experience in Congress, however, he concluded that budget deficits were a combination of too much spending and insufficient revenue. He said he supports President Obama as the commander in chief, but he was disappointed that he did not seek budget cuts in addition to tax increases in the legislation passed to avert the “fiscal cliff.” He also discussed raising the debt ceiling.
Nancy Calo read news headlines from C-SPAN Radio at the end of the program.

0 hours, 26 minutes | 203 Views

Jay Carney briefed reporters and answered questions. He said that President Obama would announce the next day the proposals of the White House task force on reducing gun violence. Questions from the press included the recommendations by Vice President Biden on reducing gun violence, immigration reform, and the inauguration.

0 hours, 51 minutes | 964 Views

Homeland Security and State Department officials testified at a hearing looking into the abuse of refugee programs by terrorists.

1 hours, 24 minutes | 126 Views

John Sopko talked about U.S. reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. He cited several specific examples of wasted U.S. money, including faulty buildings that collapsed and poorly built roads that might have allowed for improvised explosive device (IED) explosions. He was also critical of the lack of coordination with Afghans and questioned the country’s ability to sustain what U.S. had built.

0 hours, 50 minutes | 215 Views

Local officials talked about the administration of the 2012 election. New York City officials talked about dealing with power outages and displaced citizens following Hurricane Sandy a week before the election. Other issues included training poll workers to deal with new voter identification laws and dealing with the media and third party interest groups.

1 hours, 35 minutes | 30 Views

James Taylor talked about his background and political views, as well as election laws and reforms, such as a national holiday for voting, voter fraud and identification laws, and the Supreme Court’s Citizen’s United v. Federal Election Commission decision. Other topics included the George W. Bush administration’s involvement in Iraq, and his work for President Obama’s campaign. In between remarks, he played guitar and sang several songs including “Carolina in My Mind” and “Something in the Way She Moves.”

1 hours, 12 minutes | 3,892 Views

Michael Dimock explained his research about the Romney and Obama campaigns, the current makeup of the electorate, and the future of presidential polling. Topics included the 2010 versus. 2012 elections, the changing demographic landscape, and the future of polling.

1 hours, 0 minutes | 134 Views

AARP CEO Barry Rand talked about the challenges facing middle class retirement. Mr. Rand said the middle class faces declining into the lower class once they retire. He called on congressional leaders to focus more on economic growth instead of just the numbers in finding ways to reduce the nation’s debt. He said, “Washington has focused the debate on big numbers but it should be on people.”

1 hours, 13 minutes | 100 Views

Representative Scott Rigell (R-VA) talked about the agenda for the 113th Congress, and he responded to telephone calls and electronic communication. He said he originally ran for the House with the opinion that federal budget deficits were caused by too much federal spending. Based on his first-term experience in Congress, however, he concluded that budget deficits were a combination of too much spending and insufficient revenue. He said he supports President Obama as the commander in chief, but he was disappointed that he did not seek budget cuts in addition to tax increases in the legislation passed to avert the “fiscal cliff.” He also discussed raising the debt ceiling.
Nancy Calo read news headlines from C-SPAN Radio at the end of the program.

0 hours, 47 minutes | 203 Views

Panelists talked about Mexico’s future with new President Enrique Pena Nieto in power. They focused on Mexico’s governance issues and the need for reforms to deal with government corruption, violence, energy resources, investments and fiscal issues. All agreed on the aggressiveness of the new president’s agenda, but that his ability to fulfill campaign promises was yet to be known. Former Ambassador Davidow said that U.S. reforms of immigration and gun control would have implications for Mexico. The event “Mexico: From the PAN to the PRI-A Preview of the Next Sexenio” was the culmination of a project from the Americas Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

1 hours, 34 minutes | 194 Views

National Governors Association Chair Jack Markell and Vice Chair Mary Falling gave the organizations first annual State of the States address. They reviewed current conditions in and challenges faced by states, and highlighted governors' priorities for 2013. They talked about the effects of budget uncertainties at the federal level on state budgets and employment. The two governors also took questions from audience members on immigration reform, gun control, and health care reform.

0 hours, 57 minutes | 552 Views

Governor Sam Brownback (R) gave the annual state of the state address to a joint session of the legislature. He addressed a projected shortfall in the next year’s budget by suggesting that a temporary increase in the state sales tax not be allowed to expire as scheduled.
Courtesy of KPPS-TV.

0 hours, 28 minutes | 352 Views

AARP CEO Barry Rand talked about the challenges facing middle class retirement. Mr. Rand said the middle class faces declining into the lower class once they retire. He called on congressional leaders to focus more on economic growth instead of just the numbers in finding ways to reduce the nation’s debt. He said, “Washington has focused the debate on big numbers but it should be on people.”

1 hours, 13 minutes | 100 Views

Representative Scott Rigell (R-VA) talked about the agenda for the 113th Congress, and he responded to telephone calls and electronic communication. He said he originally ran for the House with the opinion that federal budget deficits were caused by too much federal spending. Based on his first-term experience in Congress, however, he concluded that budget deficits were a combination of too much spending and insufficient revenue. He said he supports President Obama as the commander in chief, but he was disappointed that he did not seek budget cuts in addition to tax increases in the legislation passed to avert the “fiscal cliff.” He also discussed raising the debt ceiling.
Nancy Calo read news headlines from C-SPAN Radio at the end of the program.

0 hours, 47 minutes | 203 Views

Panelists talked about Mexico’s future with new President Enrique Pena Nieto in power. They focused on Mexico’s governance issues and the need for reforms to deal with government corruption, violence, energy resources, investments and fiscal issues. All agreed on the aggressiveness of the new president’s agenda, but that his ability to fulfill campaign promises was yet to be known. Former Ambassador Davidow said that U.S. reforms of immigration and gun control would have implications for Mexico. The event “Mexico: From the PAN to the PRI-A Preview of the Next Sexenio” was the culmination of a project from the Americas Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

1 hours, 34 minutes | 194 Views

National Governors Association Chair Jack Markell and Vice Chair Mary Falling gave the organizations first annual State of the States address. They reviewed current conditions in and challenges faced by states, and highlighted governors' priorities for 2013. They talked about the effects of budget uncertainties at the federal level on state budgets and employment. The two governors also took questions from audience members on immigration reform, gun control, and health care reform.

0 hours, 57 minutes | 552 Views