Iowa Public Television

Washington Week

Episode #4316

Moderator: Gwen Ifill. The White House enjoyed a victory this week at the United Nations: a unanimous vote in the Security Council endorsed international cooperation in rebuilding Iraq. The U.S.-sponsored resolution passed, but what will it mean in practical terms? And what concessions did the United States have to make? Barbara Slavin of USA Today will explain. Is another win on the horizon for the White House, this one in the fight over $87 billion to support the war on terror and the reconstruction of Iraq? Both the House and Senate are expected to vote Friday on the funding for U.S. operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Alan Murray of CNBC will take us through the politics of the process. Who has supported the president's funding request? How has the administration responded to resistance from some members of congress? What have Senators and Representatives been saying about the funding package? And where are the Democratic candidates for president coming down on the issue? Alan will be at the Washington Week roundtable to analyze the events. Jeanne Cummings of The Wall Street Journal has had her eyes on some dollar figures as well: the millions in campaign funds being raised by the 2004 presidential candidates, including President Bush. New fundraising totals were reported this week and Jeanne has been examining the figures. She'll be on the panel this week to tell us what the numbers mean for the candidates and the voters. The Supreme Court is back in session and has begun choosing and hearing the cases it will decide this term. Controversial issues like privacy, religious freedom, and the first amendment will be considered by the court. Linda Greenhouse of The New York Times will explain what's at stake in some of the key cases, including the controversy over whether the pledge of allegiance violated the separation of church and state. [26 minutes]

This episode has not aired in the past few months on Iowa Public Television.