Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
Obama at G-8: Northern Ireland peace an example for war-torn world
The peace that's settled over Northern Ireland over the past 15 years gives hope to other nations embroiled in conflict and is "proof of what is possible," President Obama said Monday morning during a speech at Belfast's Waterfront Hall. Published June 17, 2013
U.S. leadership on Syria brings long-awaited relief to Group of Eight allies
When President Obama arrives in Northern Ireland for the Group of Eight summit Monday, some U.S. allies will wonder why he was late to a different party — the decision to intervene more strongly in the Syrian civil war. Published June 16, 2013
Russia rejects U.S. claims on Syria; Britain’s Cameron backs Obama shift
Russia, a longtime ally of embattled Syrian President Bashar Assad, Friday rejected new U.S. assertions that the regime had crossed President Obama's "red line" by deploying chemical weapons against rebels in the country's bloody civil war. Published June 14, 2013
Obama says Syria has crossed ‘red line’ with chemical weapons, will send weapons
The Syrian government used chemical weapons against rebel forces trying to overthrow the regime, the Obama administration said Thursday, acknowledging that President Bashar Assad has without doubt crossed the "red line" President Obama laid down for U.S. action in the country's bloody civil war. Published June 13, 2013
Harry Reid: Background checks will pass — only question is when
On the eve of the six-month anniversary of the Connecticut school shooting, the White House and congressional leaders vowed to continue pushing for new gun controls — but the aftermath of recent mass shootings suggests such an effort is easier said than done. Published June 13, 2013
White House ‘welcomes’ Bill Clinton’s critique of Syria policy
While not directly addressing Bill Clinton's criticism of the Obama administration's Syria policy, White House spokesman Jay Carney said Thursday that the 42nd president has offered "valid" opinions on the deteriorating situation in the Middle Eastern country. Published June 13, 2013
Carney: Change in administration’s Plan B policy driven by court decision
It was an appeals court decision last week that led the Obama administration on Monday to give up its fight to keep age restrictions on Plan B morning-after pills, according to his spokesman. Published June 11, 2013
Obama throws weight behind immigration overhaul bill
Reprising his role as cheerleader in chief, President Obama on Tuesday urged the Senate to quickly pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill and dismissed as unfounded Republican concerns about border security. Published June 11, 2013
Obama administration drops its appeal of Plan B ruling, will widen access to drug
President Obama still harbors deep reservations about letting young girls buy the morning-after pill without a prescription, even though his administration has decided against fighting a court order that forces it to do just that, his spokesman said Tuesday. Published June 11, 2013
College presidents can’t hide mistakes; social media root out scandals
A series of high-profile scandals have forced leading university presidents — including Ohio State University's E. Gordon Gee and Florida Atlantic University's Mary Jane Saunders — to resign amid unprecedented scrutiny. Published June 10, 2013
White House presses GOP to confirm ATF chief; Grassley says more answers needed
The White House and former law enforcement officials on Monday urged the swift confirmation of B. Todd Jones to be the permanent director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), renewing a largely dormant battle over gun control six months after December's school shootings in Connecticut. Published June 10, 2013
Obama calls on Congress to hike minimum wage, close gender pay gap
Hearkening back to his presidential campaigns and to his first few days in office, President Obama on Monday called on Congress to enact laws ensuring women and men are paid equally for the same work. Published June 10, 2013
Parties offer competing plans to overhaul ‘No Child’ education law
After years of failed attempts to replace the widely maligned No Child Left Behind education law, lawmakers are giving it one more try. Published June 6, 2013
Gridlock looms over bid to halt student loan rate rise
The Senate has reached a stalemate in its effort to keep student loan interest rates from doubling in a little more than three weeks. Published June 6, 2013
Huckabee urges states to back Common Core
As conservative opposition to the national K-12 education standards known as Common Core continues to grow, a leading figure in the Republican Party is lending his voice in support of the system. Published June 5, 2013
To raze or not to raze sites of horrific crimes; communities find own path to recovery
For some communities stung by tragedy, a wrecking ball is key to the healing process. For others, the decision to keep the site of past trauma standing is a vital step on the road to recovery. Published June 4, 2013
Arne Duncan still believes in pre-K expansion
With much of Washington still focused on the White House's ongoing scandals, a top Obama administration official Wednesday tried to shift attention back to a top policy priority: an ambitious expansion of prekindergarten programs. Published May 29, 2013
Illinois edges closer to endorsing gas fracking
Lawmakers in Illinois could sign off on legalizing fracking as early as this week, but approval of the highly controversial drilling method won't come without a fight. Published May 28, 2013
In Oklahoma tornado’s aftermath, talk of ‘safe rooms’
As Moore, Okla., begins to dig out of the wreckage wrought by Monday's killer storm, attention is shifting to the steps state officials may take to limit the loss of life the next time a tornado strikes — a question of "when," not "if." Published May 22, 2013
Supporting fellow vets is a year-round effort for Rolling Thunder
For Tom Bender, fighting for his fellow veterans means more than showing up once a year in Washington for an awe-inspiring motorcycle rally. Published May 22, 2013
