Plan-B; Social Security and Chained CPI; Chris Christie

Chapter 1: White House Calls for Hold on Decision Regarding Plan-B Morning After Pill

 

The FDA announced lowered  the age which young women can obtain Plan-B, the so-called “morning-after pill” without a prescription from 17 years-of-age to 15. A federal district judge thought there shouldn’t be any age restriction. The Administration reacted by asking the court for a stay while they appeal.  We talk to Linda Feldmann reporter for the Christian Science Monitor who has been following the story.

 

Chapter 2: Social Security and Chained CPI

 

Retirement assistance be it Social Security and Medicare remains a constant battle when Congress debates the budget. Various budget proposals have varied on how they would address its solvency. President Obama included the adoption of chained-CPI to calculate future social security needs and payouts to retirees. The Senate did not. The Republican budget didn’t, but included other cuts. We talk to Mark Romm, Director of Masters Program in American Government at Georgetown University and Max Richtman, President and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security.

 

Chapter 3:  New Jersey Governor Chris Christie Using State Race for 2016 Ambitions

 

Chris Christie is again bucking his own party, calling for expanded background checks to curb gun violence. Meanwhile, the New Jersey Gubernatorial election is 6 months away, though many are calling it a done deal. Christie is a popular national figure, even having been named one of Time’s 100 most influential people. His Opponent is Barbara Buono, a state senator who served as the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and as majority leader. We get an update from Paul Mulshine, columnist at the New Jersey Star Ledger.