TRNS Investigates: The Congressional Filibuster

TRNS Reporter Benny Martinez takes an in-depth look at Congress's historical use of the filibuster. Martinez explores the origins of the filibuster, and speaks with both experts and lawmakers who share their take on how it has impacted government, from the early days of our nation to the present. (5:57)
Listen

"Katie's Law" Gaining Ground In Congress

New legislation regarding "Katie's Law," a piece of legislation that would require certain criminal offenders to submit their DNA information into a database, is being pushed to become federally mandated by Rep. Harry Teague (D-N.M.) and others. TRNS' Benny Martinez has the story.

Click the icon to listen. (1:26)
Listen

Sage Grouse Not On Endangered Species List Yet

TRNS Reporter Benny Martinez reports on Interior Secretary Ken Salazar's decision to keep the sage grouse off the endangered species list and its effects on energy development. Click on the audio icon below to listen. (:44)
Listen

Grouse Affecting Energy Development

A high plains bird might have a great impact on the continued development of renewable and conventional energy. TRNS Reporter Benny Martinez has the story. Click the audio icon below to listen. (:51)
Listen

Obama Must Create Smaller, Concise Health Reform Bills, Says Gingrich

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) says President Barack Obama should encourage Congress to focus on passing smaller bills that are easier to understand during the upcoming health reform summit. (0:40)
Listen

Eliminating Defensive Medicine Could Save U.S. $1 Trillion Over Next Decade, Says Gingrich

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) says fixing the culture of defensive behavior in medicine would save the country more than $100 billion per year, and nearly $1 trillion over the next decade. (0:37)
Listen

Copenhagen Accord Is Non-Negotiable Says White House Official

Special Envoy on Climate Change Todd Stern says that the Copenhagen accord, although lacking legality, is a non-negotiable document and countries must realize its validity.

The accord gave individual countries the responsibility to calculate emission reductions and also capped the increase in global average climate temperature at 2 degrees centigrade. (0:21)
Listen

All Countries Must Sign On To Copenhagen Accord, Says Special Envoy On Climate Change

Special Envoy on Climate Change Todd Stern says that countries who have yet to associate themselves with the Copenhagen accord must do so as soon as possible. Stern also says that proper documentation targeting respective emission reduction should have been done by January 31.

The accord gave individual countries the responsibility to calculate emission reductions and also capped the increase in global average climate temperature at 2 degrees centigrade. (0:31)
Listen

Mixed Opinions From Capitol Hill In Storm's Aftermath

TRNS reporter Benny Martinez covers Capitol Hill reactions to the weekend's massive snowstorm and discovers mixed opinions. (1:22)
Listen

America's Biggest Asset Is Its People, Says Mullen

Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen says that the people are America's most important strategic asset and investing in them will secure the future of the country. (0:23)
Listen

Balanced Distribution Of Pentagon Budget Is Critical, Says Mullen

Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen says that balancing the distribution of the requested $549 billion DOD budget is crucial, especially to men and women in uniform. (0:18)
Listen

Stakes In Afghanistan Too High For Failure, Says Mullen

Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen defends a $549 billion DOD budget request by saying that the stakes are too high for failure in Afghanistan. (0:31)
Listen

$9 Billion To Support Soldiers' Families, Says Mullen

Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen says that $9 billion of the requested $549 billion DOD budget will be distributed to soldiers' families. (0:44)
Listen

Job Creation Must Happen Soon, Says Economist

Chief Analyst at Moody's Analytics Mark Zandi says that net job creation is a crucial factor for creating a self-sustaining economy. (0:28)
Listen

Economist Credits Bernanke For U.S. Recovery

Chief Economist at Moody's Analytics Mark Zandi credits Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke for helping launch the U.S. out of a deep recession. (0:19)
Listen

Health Bill Must Benefit Folks In Rural Areas, Says Former DNC Official

Susie Turnbull, a life-long community activist and former Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee, says any comprehensive healthcare bill must benefit people in rural areas. She also discusses the importance of establishing broadband connections in rural hospitals to allow better service to patients. (6:55)
Listen

'Common Cause' Fights For The People Of New Mexico, Says CEO Bob Edgar

Bob Edgar, President and CEO of the open-government organization "Common Cause," chats with TRNS Reporter Benny Martinez about how the initiative's presence in New Mexico helps balance the power between high ranking officials and the general population. Edgar says political corruption in New Mexico creates an ideal situation for his organization to work. (7:05)
Listen

We Can't Blame The Republicans For Stalled Health Care, Says Disheartened Democrat

Health care expert Eve Gittelson talks with TRNS reporter Benny Martinez regarding the health care reform bill. Gittelson says that Republicans and the recently captured Massachusetts Senate seat are not to blame for the gridlock that stalled passing the bill, but rather she says it is the Democrats who are accountable. (5:28)
Listen

Spending Freeze Is A Plan Of Necessity, Says White House Official

Office of Management and Budget Deputy Director Rob Nabors says that the president's spending freeze is a plan of necessity and programs will be looked at individually. (0:30)
Listen

White House Official Says Administration Can Create Jobs Before Spending Freeze

When asked if there is enough time to create jobs before the freeze begins in October, Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Rob Nabors says that the nine-month period of time will be enough for the administration to act. (0:35)
Listen