
In the wake of the 8.9 magnitude earthquake in Japan, Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) is calling for a moratorium on new nuclear facilities in the United States.
American Morning's Kiran Chetry talks to Rep. Markey about the disaster in Japan and nuclear plans in the U.S.
Officials in Japan are working to contain any potential dangers after an explosion occurred overnight at a nuclear facility.
CNN Contributor and International Security Analyst Jim Walsh talks to Christine Romans on American Morning.
Bali, Indonesia (CNN) - At dawn, two women rise after sleeping on mats outside an Indonesian hospital.
They've waited all night for a chance to see their newborn babies, whom the hospital is holding until the medical bills are paid in full.
"Holding babies until payment is common in Indonesia," said Robin Lim, a midwife who founded birthing clinics in Aceh and the island of Bali.
At this particular hospital in Bali, mothers who don't pay are allowed in twice a day to feed their baby and change their baby's diaper. Those fortunate enough to find the money may take their babies home. Others might relinquish their parental rights and place their babies up for adoption, Lim explained.
"You worry, 'Will I be able to deliver this baby safely into the world?' But you shouldn't have to worry, 'How will I pay for it?' " said Lim, 54.
"Mother Robin," or "Ibu Robin" as she is called by the locals, is working to change that with her Yayasan Bumi Sehat (Healthy Mother Earth Foundation) health clinics. These birthing sanctuaries offer free prenatal care, birthing services and medical aid to anyone who needs it.
And the needs are vast in Indonesia. The average family earns the equivalent of $8 a day, according to the International Monetary Fund, but a normal hospital delivery without complications costs around $70. A Caesarian section can cost more than $700.
Wisconsin's State Senate Republicans passed a bill that would strip public workers of most of their collective bargaining rights Wednesday.
The Wisconsin Republicans found a way to pass the bill without Democrats present–most are out of state in opposition to the bill– by removing certain parts of the bill that would have required a quorum. Democrats are calling the move a violation of law but the bill will go to the Assembly Thursday where it will likely pass.
State Senator Jon Erpenbach (D) talks to American Morning's Kiran Chetry from Chicago about Wednesday's vote.
Jeremy Lin picked up his Harvard diploma last week and is now the only current NBA player who holds a degree from the prestigious university.
Lin explains how he balanced basketball and books while on campus and talks about his NBA career with T.J. Holmes.
Neither the Democrats nor the Republicans in the Senate were able to pass budget bills Wednesday. The bills functioned as tests to see where each party stood on government spending.
Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), Chair of the House Budget Committee, talks to T.J. Holmes and says he believes the bills represent progress in Congress.

