Andrea Seabrook
Andrea Seabrook covers Capitol Hill as NPR's Congressional Correspondent.
In each report, Seabrook explains the daily complexities of legislation and the longer trends in American politics. She delivers critical, insightful reporting – from the last Republican Majority, through the speakership of Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats' control of the House, to the GOP landslide of 2010. She and NPR's Peter Overby won the prestigious Joan S. Barone award for their Dollar Politics series, which exposed the intense lobbying effort around President Obama's Health Care legislation. Seabrook and Overby's most recent collaboration, this time on the flow of money during the 2010 midterm elections, was widely lauded and drew a huge audience spike on NPR.org.
An authority on the comings and goings of daily life on Capitol Hill, Seabrook has covered Congress for NPR since January 2003 She took a year-and-a-half break, in 2006 and 2007, to host the weekend edition of NPR's newsmagazine, All Things Considered. In that role, Seabrook covered a wide range of topics, from the uptick in violence in the Iraq war, to the history of video game music.
A frequent guest host of NPR programs, including Weekend Edition and Talk of the Nation, Seabrook has also anchored NPR's live coverage of national party conventions and election night in 2006 and 2008.
Seabrook joined NPR in 1998 as an editorial assistant for the music program, Anthem. After serving in a variety of editorial and production positions, she moved to NPR's Mexico Bureau to work as a producer and translator, providing fill-in coverage of Mexico and Central America. She returned to NPR headquarters in Washington, D.C. in the fall of 1999 and worked on NPR's Science Desk and the NPR/National Geographic series, "Radio Expeditions." Later she moved to NPR's Morning Edition, starting as an editorial assistant and then moving up to Assistant Editor. She then began her on-air career as a weekend general assignment reporter for all NPR programs.
Before coming to NPR, Seabrook lived, studied and worked in Mexico City, Mexico. She ran audio for movies and television, and even had a bit part in a Mexican soap opera.
Seabrook earned her bachelor's degree in biology from Earlham College and studied Latin American literature at UNAM - La Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico. While in college she worked at WECI, the student-run public radio station at Earlham College.
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Bush administration officials say if multinational forces are not promised soon to serve in Iraq, the Pentagon may have to call up thousands of fresh National Guard and Reserve troops. Meanwhile, families of reservists are launching online petition drives and other grassroots efforts to bring their loved ones home. Hear NPR's Andrea Seabrook and NPR's Greg Allen.
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NPR's Robert Siegel talks with NPR's Andrea Seabrook about the possibility that more reservists and members of the National Guard will be called for duty in Iraq. A number of high-ranking Defense Department officials are discussing the issue this week on Capitol Hill.
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House Democrats release an analysis suggesting that at best, the cost of military operations in Iraq will add $179 billion to the federal deficit over the next decade. Meanwhile, Republicans vow to approve President Bush's $87 billion funding request for Iraq. Both parties call on the White House to be more upfront about expected Iraq-related costs. Hear NPR's Andrea Seabrook.
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President Bush will soon send Congress a request for $87 billion to fund reconstruction efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some Capitol Hill lawmakers pledge to approve Bush's request quickly, calling it essential for troops on the ground. But others say the request prompts new questions about the direction of the U.S. mission in Iraq. Hear NPR's Andrea Seabrook.
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In a joint news conference with President Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair says he "stands by" intelligence on Iraq's weapons programs. Blair also tells a joint meeting of Congress that history would forgive the U.S.-led war in Iraq even if weapons of mass destruction are not found. Hear NPR's Don Gonyea and NPR's Andrea Seabrook.
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President Bush releases his plan to overhaul the Medicare system. The proposal includes prescription drug coverage for seniors who change to a privatized health plan, but some lawmakers say seniors who want to keep traditional Medicare should get more drug coverage than what the plan offers. NPR's Andrea Seabrook reports.
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Following a lengthy debate on science and life, the House passes a ban on all human cloning. The measure covers clones created for medical research, and envisions stiff fines and prison sentences for violators. NPR's Andrea Seabrook reports.
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Secretary of State Colin Powell tells a Senate committee a new statement from Osama bin Laden suggests links between Iraq and al Qaeda. The Arab network Al Jazeera today is airing a statement it says is from bin Laden. NPR's Andrea Seabrook reports.
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Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) announces he has prostate cancer. The presidential candidate says surgery is planned for Wednesday. NPR's Andrea Seabrook reports.
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NPR's Andrea Seabrook reports Secretary of State Colin Powell goes before a key Senate committee today, as members of Congress take stock of the evidence he presented to the United Nations yesterday. Some Democrats say if the United States attacks Iraq, it must maintain a peace-keeping force there for years to come.