National Journal Topics | NationalJournal.com

House Begins Debating Farm Bill With No Clear End in Sight

Jerry Hagstrom | 6:15 p.m.

The House may not be able to finish work on the farm bill by Thursday as leaders of the Agriculture Committee had hoped before debate on the massive measure began Tuesday, largely because of a pileup of amendments that could require as many as 50 roll-call votes in two days.

House GOP Makes Aggressive Opening Bid on Immigration

Fawn Johnson | 5:21 p.m.

They are taking the strategy they attribute to Obama and using it for themselves.

Poll: Rick Scott Makes Gains in Florida

Sarah Mimms | June 18, 2013

Florida Gov. Rick Scott is in a better position to be reelected today than he was just three months ago, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll released Tuesday morning. The survey shows him with his highest-ever approval and favorability ratings and making gains on his highest-profile potent...

Boehner Aims to Move Immigration by Capitalizing on a Conservative Rift

Chris Frates | June 18, 2013

The House speaker is navigating a divide over citizenship in order to vote out legislation.

White House Threatens Veto as House Takes Up Farm Bill

Jerry Hagstrom | June 17, 2013

The Obama administration opposes deep cuts proposed to the food-stamp program.

House Faces Off on Farm Bill, Late-Term Abortions

Billy House | June 16, 2013

The Senate continues its floor focus on amendments to its immigration-reform bill.

How Green Groups Make the EPA Issue New Rules

Coral Davenport | June 13, 2013

By suing the agency—which is only too happy to settle—green advocates have compelled it to issue a raft of regulations.

Farm Bill Could Pass the House Next Week, Agriculture Committee Chairman Says

Jerry Hagstrom | June 13, 2013

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas, R-Okla., said Thursday he believes that the farm bill will come up on the House floor next week and could be finished in two days.

Pelosi Lashes Out at Reporter's Question on Morality of Late-Term Abortions

Billy House | June 13, 2013

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi flashed unusual public anger and caused some confusion Thursday during a news conference when asked about the "moral difference" between late-term elective abortions and the infant deaths that led to murder convictions for Philadelphia abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell.

GOP Not Backing Down on Border Security in Immigration Bill

Chris Frates | June 13, 2013

Republicans concede Cornyn's border bill can't pass, but they insist something's needed on security to get support for reform.

Financing Infrastructure

June 13, 2013

Florida Interstate 595 Improvements; Philadelphia Green City, Clean Waters Plan; Chicago Infrastructure Trust; Los Angeles 30/10 Initiative.

Rep. Adam Smith Takes a Realistic View on Funding

Sara Sorcher | June 12, 2013

House Armed Services' ranking member acknowledges some defense cuts are inevitable in tight fiscal times, and he says he is committed to helping the Pentagon make reductions.

Defense Industry Focused on Sequestration

Sara Sorcher | June 12, 2013

No one has been able to successfully wrangle Congress into reaching a grand bargain to reduce the deficit. But it’s not for lack of trying.

A Hollow Military Again?

James Kitfield | June 12, 2013

The looming postwar drawdown of the U.S. armed forces will prove the most challenging of modern times.

Major Battles in the House Armed Services Committee

Sara Sorcher | June 12, 2013

On Aug. 1, 2011, hours before the government was set to default on its debt, House Speaker John Boehner convened Republican members of the House Armed Services Committee in his office to discuss a legislative solution.

A Committee Chairman’s Job Is Never Easy

Sara Sorcher | June 12, 2013

It’s tough to chair a 62-member panel responsible for authorizing roughly half a trillion dollars that funds America’s defenses. Just ask Rep. Buck McKeon.

GOP Members of Homeland Security Subcommittee Fail Key Test

Norm Ornstein | June 12, 2013

By swallowing a poison-pill amendment, they proved they are intimidated by the extreme forces in their party.

Labrador Decides Against Comprehensive Bill, Opts for Series of Immigration Measures

Rebecca Kaplan and Fawn Johnson contributed | June 12, 2013

Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Idaho, has decided to take a piecemeal approach to immigration reform and will work with House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., to author legislation.

Why Democrats Are Afraid of Border Security

Fawn Johnson | June 12, 2013

For the Senate to pass a comprehensive immigration-reform bill, each side is going to have to start trusting the other.

Argo and New Resolve on Capitol Hill Could Finally Bring Justice to the 1979 Iran Hostages

Jill Lawrence | June 11, 2013

With success possible after many disappointments, the hostages' families are making their first united push for action in a Father's Day letter to senators.

Why the GOP Isn't Attacking Obama Over Data Collection

Michael Catalini | June 10, 2013

Recent reports that showed the breadth of the government’s secret information-gathering have divided congressional Republicans.

Immigration-Reform Advocates Brace for Flood of Amendments

Rebecca Kaplan | June 10, 2013

The verbal slugfest over border security is likely to dominate proceedings the rest of the week.

Two Senate Panels Compete for Control Over Ethanol Mandate

Amy Harder | June 9, 2013

The federal mandate that biofuels be mixed with gasoline continues to be a political lightning rod.

Lawmakers Need to Show Strong Leadership to Move Forward With Farm Bill

Jerry Hagstrom | June 9, 2013

Cutting through the thicket of rhetoric in time to pass new legislation will be a challenge.

Senate Gears Up for Floor Fight on Immigration

Billy House and George E. Condon Jr. and Nancy Cook and Amy Harder and Catherine Hollander and Fawn Johnson and and Sara Sorcher contributed | June 9, 2013

Following a scheduled vote on its farm bill, the Senate this week will press ahead with major legislation to legalize 11 million undocumented immigrants.

Images From America's Two Pastimes–Baseball and Politics

June 8, 2013

Mounting Signs of GOP Rebellion Against Immigration Reform

Beth Reinhard and Tim Alberta and Scott Bland contributed | June 7, 2013

Despite Marco Rubio's push for comprehensive reform, most Republicans aren't listening.

Why the IRS Scandals Make It Hard to Fix the IRS

Nancy Cook | June 6, 2013

On the one hand, it helps the momentum for tax reform. On the other hand, wonks are now investigating alleged wrongdoing rather than devising new policy.

The Two Faces of Marco Rubio

Rebecca Kaplan | June 6, 2013

He's trying to be both a high-level negotiator and a disappointed populist. With the immigration bill, he’ll eventually have to choose.

Labrador Holds the Keys on House Immigration Reform

Rebecca Kaplan | June 6, 2013

Rep. Raul Labrador’s exit from immigration talks means bill that ultimately makes its way to the House floor will almost certainly be a conservative document that looks nothing like the Senate bill.

No Child Left Behind's Most Obsolete Requirement May Be Removed From the Books

Brian Resnick | June 6, 2013

Finally, Adequate Yearly Progress, the most widely ignored provision of No Child Left Behind may be removed from the books.

The Republicans' Plan to Take Down Richard Cordray

Chris Frates | June 6, 2013

President Obama's nominee to head the new consumer protection bureau could get caught in the crossfire with Republicans over Senate rules.

A Bipartisan Energy Committee Stuck in a Partisan Senate

Amy Harder | June 5, 2013

None of the many bills passed by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources panel this year have become law.

Conservatives Split on Citizenship Path in Immigration Bill

Tim Alberta and Fawn Johnson and Rebecca Kaplan | June 5, 2013

When it comes to dealing with the millions of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, there remains a persistent—and intense—disagreement within the GOP.

House Committees Kick Off Least Productive Session in More Than a Decade

Billy House | June 5, 2013

Besides oversight hearings, House panels are getting very little done.

3 Signs The White House Is Finding Its Footing

Michael Catalini | June 4, 2013

Obama increasingly inclined to cast his GOP critics as partisan.

The Reason Mike Rogers Won’t Run for Senate

Tim Alberta | June 3, 2013

Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., is under pressure from Republican power brokers to run for the Senate next year. The party loyalist in him is considering it. But to everyone around Rogers, the move just doesn’t add up.

Marco Rubio to Address House Conservatives on Immigration Reform

Tim Alberta | May 31, 2013

Closed-door summit will be early test for senator to win over immigration skeptics.

Heritage Targets 4 Over Farm Bill

Sarah Mimms | May 30, 2013

Heritage Action Fund is targeting three Republicans and a Democrat in agriculture-heavy districts over the farm bill with a round of radio ads, a spokesman tells Hotline. The advertisements, complete with squealing pig sound effects, hit Reps. Rick Crawford (R-AR), Martha Roby (R-AL), Frank Lucas (...

Switching Parties Is A Sign of Political Trouble

Michael Catalini | May 30, 2013

Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee still faces long odds to win a second term.

Obama Campaign Group Targets Climate Change

Coral Davenport | May 28, 2013

While President Obama's reelection campaign was almost completely silent on the issue of climate change, Organizing for Action, the advocacy group tooled from his 2012 campaign machine, has launched a campaign designed to build support for the president's climate-change agenda.

‘Obamacare’ Ads to Begin Airing in Mitch McConnell’s Home State

Chris Frates | May 23, 2013

As part of the multimillion-dollar implementation of "Obamacare," the health exchange where Kentucky residents can shop for insurance will launch a media campaign next month, and the state’s senior Republican is none too pleased about it.

The Cabal That Quietly Took Over the House

Tim Alberta | May 23, 2013

For 40 years, the Republican Study Committee has prized ideological purity over partisan loyalty. That mindset now dominates the GOP.

For the Future of Immigration Reform, Look to 1986

Fawn Johnson | May 23, 2013

The old law, signed by President Reagan, is the basis of the new bill, even if reformers added a few bells and whistles to win over new converts.

The IRS Was Built to Be Tone Deaf

Nancy Cook | May 23, 2013

Insularity and autonomy were once thought to be key ingredients for a nonpartisan tax-collecting agency.

Latinos Are Still in the Game

Rebecca Kaplan | May 23, 2013

Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus whip, insists that although Latino Democrats are in the minority, they’re still helping to shape immigration reform.

House Immigration 'Gang' Struggles, GOP Hints at Republican Bill

Rebecca Kaplan and Chris Frates contributed | May 23, 2013

As the House group struggling to write a bipartisan immigration bill huddled in the Capitol, Republican leadership indicated its wait-and-see approach was over. They'll consider legislation, but it won't be the Senate bill, and no matter what the House gang does, the bill will run through a largely conservative Judiciary Committee.

House Passes Keystone Bill For the Seventh Time, With the Same Result Likely

Amy Harder | May 22, 2013

For the seventh straight time, the bill—approved on a 241-175 vote—is likely to have little substantive effect.

First Hurdle Cleared in Immigration, but Bigger Ones Remain

Fawn Johnson | May 21, 2013

The Senate Judiciary Committee approves a bill that would give 11 million undocumented immigrants a path to citizenship and require employers to electronically verify all new hires.

Immigration Bill's Last Hurdle Tonight -- Gay Rights

Rebecca Kaplan | May 21, 2013

Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy will still not say whether he plans to put forward an amendment tonight that would extend the bill’s immigration provisions to gay couples.

The U.S. Wants to Inspect Your Catfish, Twice

Niraj Chokshi | May 21, 2013

The farm bill has a reputation, and it’s not a good one.

House Republicans Say They Can Legislate and Investigate at the Same Time

Tim Alberta | May 19, 2013

House Republicans are pushing back against a prominent conservative group’s suggestion that congressional leaders should avoid scheduling potentially divisive votes which could shift the media spotlight away from the White House’s recent woes.

Bipartisanship on Water Projects in Senate Spurred by Freedom to Fish Act

Amy Harder | May 19, 2013

The senior energy aide to Mitch McConnell, the Senate Republican leader from the coal state of Kentucky, was praised last week by one of the Senate’s top environmentalists, Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Barbara Boxer, D-Calif. The compliment seems unusual amid the hyper-partisanship that’s now the norm in Washington, but when put into context it makes sense.

Tea Party Victims Detail Intimidation, Claim Vindication

Michael Catalini | May 17, 2013

The tax collector's actions confirm the worst fears of conservatives.

Watergate: When Congress Worked

Matthew Cooper | May 16, 2013

The back-stabbing, press-leaking, hyper-partisan members of the committee investigating Nixon, which began hearings 40 years ago, still made history. Here’s how.

Why You Should Feel Sorry for the IRS

Nancy Cook | May 16, 2013

Employees there don’t just collect taxes. They also implement America’s social policy and regulate different kinds of groups—without the money, training, or staff to do so.

Why Your Taxi Driver Is Smarter Than You Are

Fawn Johnson | May 16, 2013

Lawmakers in the immigration debate are neglecting the issue of whether newcomers assimilate once they have legal status.

The Importance of Being Orrin

Rebecca Kaplan | May 16, 2013

Immigration-reform advocates desperately hope to win over Hatch, the senior senator from Utah. For now, he’s playing coy.

Senate Confirms Energy Secretary, Stalls on EPA and Labor Nominees

Amy Harder | May 16, 2013

The Senate unanimously confirmed Obama’s choice for Energy but nominees for EPA administrator and Labor secretary are still on hold.

Senate Committee Approves Gina McCarthy EPA Nomination Along Party Lines

Coral Davenport | May 16, 2013

Senate Republicans on Thursday eased their opposition to the nomination of Gina McCarthy, President Obama’s pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency—but her confirmation by the full Senate is not yet assured.

Eric Cantor’s Caucus Thwarts His Push for an Alternative Agenda

Norm Ornstein | May 16, 2013

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor has learned, to his chagrin, that solving problems, much less finding compromises, is not on the agenda of a majority of his House Republican colleagues.

The One Map That Explains Louisville's Economy

Amy Sullivan | May 16, 2013

Is this Kentucky city the center of the universe? Not quite, but it's close enough.

Next Stops for Farm Bill: Senate and House Floors

Jerry Hagstrom | May 15, 2013

The House Agriculture Committee prides itself on bipartisanship, but when the panel met Wednesday to consider a new farm bill, the deep cultural divides between its Republican majority and Democratic minority members were in full relief.

Eric Cantor’s Caucus Thwarts His Push for an Alternative Agenda

Norm Ornstein | May 15, 2013

Readers of It’s Even Worse Than It Looks know that I have not always treated House Majority Leader Eric Cantor kindly. I have excoriated him for engineering the debt-ceiling crisis in 2011 as a hostage-taking exercise, and then blowing up the talks between President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner that could have led to a grand bargain. Cantor himself recently took credit for the latter in a profile written by Ryan Lizza in The New Yorker. He told Lizza “that it was a ‘fair assessment’ that he talked Boehner out of accepting Obama’s deal. He said he told Boehner that it would be better, instead, to take the issues of taxes and spending to the voters and ‘have it out’ with the Democrats in the election. Why give Obama an enormous political victory, and potentially help him win reelection, when they might be able to negotiate a more favorable deal with a new Republican president? Boehner told Obama there was no deal. Instead of a grand bargain, Cantor and the House Republicans made a grand bet.”

How the Ongoing Scandals Might Actually Aid Bipartisanship on Immigration Reform

Rebecca Kaplan | May 15, 2013

If Republicans assume a hyper-partisan stance on IRS, DOJ, and Benghazi, they may have room to act in a bipartisan manner when it comes to immigration.

Search for ‘Obamacare’ Funding Angers Lawmakers

Margot Sanger-Katz | May 14, 2013

With money and time running out to implement the president’s health care law, administration officials are looking for funding wherever they can find it—and angering members of Congress along the way.

Senate Agriculture Committee Plows Forward on Farm Bill

Jerry Hagstrom | May 14, 2013

The Senate Agriculture Committee on Tuesday approved a five-year farm bill that reveals a new consensus on crop and nutrition policy, but it emerged over the objections of three Republican senators from the Plains—Pat Roberts of Kansas, Mike Johanns of Nebraska, and John Thune of South Dakota—who offered amendments on food stamps and commodities that a majority of the panel rejected.

How Can Conservatives Win Over Young Voters? Go For Their Guts.

Ben Terris | May 14, 2013

It's a lot easier to get young voters to care about government overreach if you're talking about food trucks.

Elizabeth Warren's Playbook to Win Over Young Voters

Elahe Izadi | May 14, 2013

Massachusetts senator's focus on student loans is popular with college students.

How Much Big Insurance Paid a Small-Business Group to Fight a Premium Tax

Chris Frates | May 13, 2013

The nation’s leading health insurance industry group gave $850,000 to a top small-business trade association as part of a campaign to repeal a key provision of President Obama’s health care law, National Journal Daily has learned.

Graphic: Five Things to Watch in the Farm Bill

Jerry Hagstrom and Joey Carolino | May 13, 2013

This week, the Senate and House Agriculture committees will each mark up a new five-year farm bill that would cover farm and nutrition policy through 2018. The Senate markup will be Tuesday,and the House’s markup will be the next day. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., proposes to cut $23 billion over 10 years from a bill that costs close to $1 trillion, while House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas, R-Okla., proposes to cut almost $40 billion.

House to Tackle Student-Loan Rates

Fawn Johnson | May 12, 2013

House Republicans are preparing to pass legislation that would remedy, once and for all, the looming problem of student-loan interest rates.

'Obamacare' Repeal: Will the 37th Time Be the Charm?

Billy House and Nancy Cook and Coral Davenport and Fawn Johnson and Sara Sorcher and and George E. Condon Jr. contributed | May 12, 2013

With tensions over fiscal issues building, and the three-month suspension of the nation’s debt limit set to expire Sunday, lawmakers this week will be rehashing on the House floor their messaging war over repealing President Obama’s three-year-old health care law.

Congress Poised to Move on Farm Bill

Jerry Hagstrom | May 12, 2013

The atmosphere on Capitol Hill for the farm bill suddenly seems to be full speed ahead.

What Jay Carney Could Have Said About Benghazi and Those IRS Probes

George E. Condon Jr. | May 11, 2013

It is never a good week for a president when twice in seven days the political opposition is trying to liken your administration to that of Richard M. Nixon.

Some Republicans Don’t Believe Austerity Is Enough

Nancy Cook | May 9, 2013

Strategists and wonks are urging House leaders to refocus their economic message on ideas that the middle class actually care about.

The Border Hawks Have Already Won

Fawn Johnson | May 9, 2013

The Senate immigration bill already addresses hard-liner concerns, which means they’ll have less reason to oppose the final product.

Immigration-Reform Advocates Sell Legislation in Judiciary Committee

Fawn Johnson | May 9, 2013

Their biggest challenge is to win over rule-of-law conservatives on border enforcement.

Mark Sanford's Sex Scandal Survival Guide

Beth Reinhard | May 7, 2013

The former governor violated all the rules of political comebacks, but he won a solidly-Republican seat anyway.

Why an Online-Sales Tax May Not Help Brick-and-Mortar Retailers After All

Niraj Chokshi | May 6, 2013

Taxes are all about changing behavior, and legislation establishing sales taxes for Internet commerce, which is expected to pass the Senate on Monday, is no different. But it’s not clear that the online-sales tax will achieve its goal.

How Democrats Could Blow Immigration

Rebecca Kaplan | May 2, 2013

In their zeal to reach an agreement with Republicans, party strategists risk alienating the usually reliable Black Caucus.

Obama's Legacy: A Health Care Law That Hurts His Party

Josh Kraushaar | May 2, 2013

Like the Iraq war tarnished the Republican brand, ObamaCare could be a long-term political millstone for Democrats.

Why Isn't Boehner a Target in Congressional Elections?

Billy House | May 1, 2013

Democrats haven't gotten around to demonizing the House speaker the way Republicans have with Nancy Pelosi.

The 'Obamacare' Rollout's 'Glitches and Bumps' Won't Doom Health Reform

Margot Sanger-Katz | April 30, 2013

Medicare Part D had them, too.

Special Interests Shadow Immigration Reform

Beth Reinhard | April 26, 2013

Supporters are fending off charges that the legislation caters to the K Street crowd.

What an Internet Sales Tax Could Mean for Your Bitcoin Stash

Brian Fung | April 25, 2013

How will states collect taxes on bitcoin transactions if they're anonymous and untraceable?

What Will Max Baucus Do With His New Political Freedom?

Nancy Cook and Stacy Kaper and Chris Frates and Rebecca Kaplan contributed | April 23, 2013

The Montana senator's retirement could affect legislation on guns, taxes, immigration, and the debt ceiling. If only he'll agree with his fellow Democrats.

For House Republicans, It’s Fiscal First

Tim Alberta | April 23, 2013

If the fiscal fights that defined the opening act of the 113th Congress were supposed to suddenly take a backseat to other issues, someone forgot to tell House Republicans.

Obama’s Pick for Energy Secretary Blocked Over Cuts at S.C. Nuclear-Waste Plant

Amy Harder | April 23, 2013

In his recent confirmation hearing, Ernest Moniz told senators that one of his very first trips as Energy secretary would be to Hanford, the troublesome nuclear-waste site in Washington state. But Moniz might be wise to detour down to South Carolina on his way in light of a move Tuesday by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., to block his confirmation.

Immigration Debate May Grow More Complicated

Billy House and George E. Condon Jr. and Nancy Cook and Coral Davenport and Fawn Johnson and Margot Sanger-Katz and and Sara Sorcher | April 21, 2013

With Congress focused on immigration reform this week, the national security aspects of the issue are moving to the forefront amid efforts by some conservatives to inject the Boston Marathon bombing suspects into that debate.

After Boston Marathon Bombings, What Next For Immigration Reform?

Fawn Johnson | April 19, 2013

“We screwed up. We can’t afford to screw up again,” said Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said on Friday.

The 'Obamacare' Rollout Will Be a Bureaucratic Nightmare

Margot Sanger-Katz | April 18, 2013

When the last major government insurance plan launched in 2006, it was a disaster. The president’s health law will be even worse.

Poll: Should John Boehner Allow Immigration Legislation to Go Through the Committees?

Michael Catalini and Naureen Khan and Peter Bell | April 18, 2013

Insiders from both parties see regular order as the smart move.

How Gabrielle Giffords and Michael Bloomberg Can Succeed on Guns

Michael Hirsh | April 18, 2013

Small, determined interests win out over large, diffuse ones. But their task is not impossible.

Why the Senate Vote May Signal 2016 Problems for the Gun Lobby

Ronald Brownstein and Stephanie Czekalinski contributed | April 18, 2013

The outcome of Wednesday’s dramatic Senate vote on expanding background checks simultaneously demonstrated the difficult geography confronting gun-control advocates in the Senate and the potentially daunting math facing gun-rights proponents in the Electoral College.

Phil Barnett, Minority Staff Director, Full Committee

Amy Harder | April 17, 2013

It’s no surprise that Democratic Staff Director Phil Barnett counts climate change among his very top issues. His boss, Energy and Commerce ranking member Henry Waxman, D-Calif., does, too.

Karen Christian, Majority Chief Counsel, Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee

Amy Harder | April 17, 2013

Karen Christian, chief counsel for the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, is best known for her lead role in the Solyndra investigation, which dominated much of the GOP agenda on the committee during the last Congress.

Karen Nelson, Deputy Minority Staff Director on Health, Full Committee

Margot Sanger-Katz | April 17, 2013

For more than 30 years, Karen Nelson has been the Democrats’ go-to health aide on Rep. Henry Waxman’s staff.

Health Care Interests Have Much to Monitor

Margot Sanger-Katz | April 17, 2013

Because entitlement reform could touch nearly every medical lobby, all will keep eyes and ears on the Energy and Commerce Committee’s doings.

Renewable-Fuels Standard Gets Bipartisan Attention

Amy Harder | April 17, 2013

For the first time since President Obama won the White House in 2008, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., and ranking member Henry Waxman, D-Calif., are working together on a controversial energy policy: the renewable-fuels standard.

A Polarized Committee Reflects a Gridlocked Congress

Amy Harder | April 17, 2013

Shortly after Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., won the chairmanship of the House Energy and Commerce Committee in December 2010, he invited all the former committee chairmen and their wives to dinner at Carmine’s in downtown Washington.

No Big Bills, But Plenty of Action on Health Care

Margot Sanger-Katz | April 17, 2013

The Energy and Commerce Committee won’t be passing any blockbuster health care bills this session—much as some GOP members would still love to repeal the Affordable Care Act—but several smaller measures on the agenda are likely to make it to the House floor.

Committee Will Watch Spectrum Auction Closely

Brian Fung | April 17, 2013

By definition, virtually every wireless technology in use today depends on radio waves. Whether it’s for Wi-Fi, cell-phone calls, or satellite TV, the radio spectrum transports signals from source to destination quickly and efficiently.

A Polarized Congress Tests Fred Upton’s Instincts

Amy Harder | April 17, 2013

In the final days of the last Congress, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton spoke out against a bill to provide roughly $50 million to aid the victims of superstorm Sandy.

In-Cycle Dems Baucus, Begich, Pryor Oppose Background-Check Amendment

Steven Shepard and Scott Bland and Kevin Brennan and Sarah Mimms | April 17, 2013

Three vulnerable Senate Democrats seeking reelection in 2014 joined most Senate Republicans in thwarting the bipartisan amendment mandating background checks for gun purchasers on Wednesday. The amendment -- introduced by Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., along with Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa. -- earned 54 vote...

At Pivotal Point in Presidency, Obama Routed on Gun Control

Ron Fournier | April 17, 2013

But GOP victory could backfire if voters revolt.

Divide Emerges Among Immigration-Reform Opponents

Rebecca Kaplan | April 16, 2013

Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee who have protested the speed and secrecy of the work of the bipartisan “Gang of Eight” are far from united in a strategy to slow or kill the immigration-reform bill—or even on whether that’s the plan at all.

Senate Sets Wednesday Gun Vote

Shane Goldmacher | April 16, 2013

The Senate showdown on new gun-control legislation is officially set for Wednesday afternoon.

Still a Long Way To Go in Senate On Gun Control

Chris Frates | April 15, 2013

Democrats were feeling pretty good last week after inking a bipartisan agreement on sweeping background checks for gun purchases and getting the votes to begin a Senate debate on new gun restrictions. But now they return to the Capitol at just the beginning of what will be a long, tough road to turn gun legislation into law.

Forget Working Groups, House Judiciary Moving Immigration on its Own

Rebecca Kaplan | April 15, 2013

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., isn’t interested in waiting on immigration.

Why a Messed Up Immigration Bill Could Still Pass

Fawn Johnson | April 14, 2013

Only one thing really matters in the immigration bill that a bipartisan group of eight senators will unveil this week—11 million immigrants living in the United States without papers who fear deportation every day. Give them a break, and the rest will sort itself out.

Slow-Motion Gun Battle Plays Out in Senate

Billy House | April 14, 2013

Lawmakers will stage some slow-going drama this week as the Senate proceeds in its deliberations on gun-control legislation with a series of votes on amendments—many of them likely to usher in their own mini-floor fights, or even filibusters.

Why Those Wellness Programs Don't Work

Margot Sanger-Katz | April 11, 2013

Obama's workplace health incentive was supposed to save money and make you fit. Instead it penalizes the poor.

House GOP Shrugs Off Senate Progress on Guns

Tim Alberta | April 11, 2013

In the four months since Newtown, conservative House Republicans have made a consistent case against passing any new gun-related laws.

3 Strong Pro-Gun Arguments to Watch

Fawn Johnson | April 11, 2013

Republicans are raising complex questions about mental health, federal enforcement, and gun-purchase records that deserve the thorough and intense debate they are about to receive.

Boehner Declares 'Hastert Rule' Was 'Never a Rule to Begin With'

Billy House | April 11, 2013

On the House battles over gun control, immigration, and long-term debt, the speaker won't commit to following the GOP's "majority of the majority" tradition.

Amid Deep Cuts, the Pentagon Labors to Keep Its Forces Ready for Korea

Elaine M. Grossman | April 11, 2013

{"2031674":"34760"}...

Tough Gun Votes Could End Careers on Capitol Hill

Jill Lawrence | April 11, 2013

TARP, taxes, Obamacare, and guns have been blamed for scores of defeats in the last 20 years.

Progressives Fight Obama on Entitlements with Eye on 2014

Rebecca Kaplan | April 10, 2013

For progressive Democrats in Congress, a fight with President Obama over the inclusion of cuts to Social Security in his budget proposal may be just a warm-up for the real looming battle: the 2014 midterms.

Food Stamps Are Key Component to Getting Farm Bill Passed

Jerry Hagstrom | April 10, 2013

Senate Agriculture Committee ranking member Thad Cochran, R-Miss., defended federal nutrition programs Tuesday to a group of agricultural journalists, and in the process demonstrated why dealing with food stamps may be harder this year than in 2012 when it comes to writing a farm bill.

Rand Paul Gets Skeptical Hearing At Howard University

Elahe Izadi | April 10, 2013

Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky took his message of GOP inclusion to historically black Howard University Wednesday, where he received a polite but tough reception.

7 Things to Know About Obama's Budget

Matthew Cooper | April 10, 2013

You’ll see a lot about the aggregate budget size of $3.8 trillion. But here are the things that are really worth knowing.

For Congress, A Rare Break From Fiscal Crises

Chris Frates | April 8, 2013

Though the delivery of the president’s budget will keep numbers in the news this week, lawmakers return to Washington from a recess for the first time this year without a fiscal crisis bearing down on them.

GOP Health Experts Agree: Don't Count on 'Obamacare' to Fail

Jill Lawrence | April 8, 2013

Is the Obama administration totally bungling implementation of its signature universal health care law? The White House gets some surprising backup from top health officials from two GOP administrations.

Has Obama Done Enough for Black Americans?

George E. Condon Jr. and Jim O’Sullivan | April 4, 2013

For many, this is still a land of unequal opportunity. A history-making president may not be enough.

The Gun Debate Isn't Over Yet

Chris Frates | April 4, 2013

Even as Republicans threaten a filibuster, there’s fresh hope for compromise.

House Republicans Map Out Strategy for Debt-Ceiling Battle

Nancy Cook | April 4, 2013

When the House Republicans return from recess next week, one of their top priorities will be charting out the next fiscal battle—the debt ceiling.

Play of the Day: Remember George W. Bush?

Ross Gianfortune and Government Executive | April 4, 2013

Fast forward to 3:40 to see Letterman challenge Kim on camera.

On Day One, Sanford Discovers Challenges of Taking On a Female Candidate

Sarah Mimms | April 4, 2013

On just his first day as the Republican nominee for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District seat, former Gov. Mark Sanford is discovering the challenges of running against a female candidate, adding to the difficulties faced by a man in the process of resurrecting his political career after admi...

Healthy Benefits

Jerry Hagstrom | April 3, 2013

Nonprofit hospitals could reap credit for improving the eating habits of their patients and communities.

Which Republican Senator Will Support Gay Marriage Next? 5 to Watch.

Elahe Izadi | April 3, 2013

Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins could be the next two to flip.

Once Again, the NRA Is Winning the Gun-Control Debate

Fawn Johnson | April 2, 2013

At dueling press conferences, gun-rights supporters sound confident.

Play of the Day: Egg Rolls and Panda Mating

Ross Gianfortune and Government Executive | April 2, 2013

Fast forward to 3:10 to learn what surprising things an overzealous kid found at the White House Sunday.

The Politically Incorrect Caucus: 6 Controversy-Prone House Members

Michael Catalini | April 1, 2013

Rep. Don Young's ethnically charged reference to Hispanic ranch workers as "wetbacks" on an Alaska radio program reminded us of other controversial members of the 113th Congress.

Curious Friends: How Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg Can Help Republicans

Elahe Izadi | March 29, 2013

By zeroing in on issues where bipartisanship is possible, Zuckerberg’s political efforts can soften the GOP’s edges.

Will Alabama Finally Let Its Citizens Brew Their Own Beer?

Ben Terris | March 28, 2013

Home-brewing is legal in 49 states. Alabama may soon join the fun.

The Secret Republican Plan to Repeal 'Obamacare'

Chris Frates | March 27, 2013

Mitch McConnell knows how to unwind Obamacare. And he doesn't think it's too late to do it.

Short-Term Flexibility Won't Help Long-Term Impact of Sequestration

Nancy Cook | March 26, 2013

President Obama signed legislation on Tuesday to keep the government funded through the end of September and to give greater flexibility to a handful of agencies as they roll out the mandated across-the-board spending cuts known as sequestration.

Is Michael Bloomberg the Right Person to Lead the Gun-Control Fight?

Matt Vasilogambros | March 26, 2013

The blunt-spoken billionaire mayor may be popular in Washington and New York, but that popularity might not extend to the rest of the country.

Your Guide to Today's Supreme Court Prop 8 Hearing

Alexander Abad-Santos - The Atlantic Wire | March 26, 2013

No more politicians switching sides. No more talk of what the polls mean. The long-awaited gay-marriage arguments at the Supreme Court have arrived, and the stakes are high for the most important civil-rights cases before the nation's highest court in years.

Five Small Business Committee Staffers to Know

Amy Harder and Stacy Kaper | March 24, 2013

Here are the people you need to know on the Small Business Committee staffs on both sides of the Capitol.

Armed With Excuses, Lawmakers Head Home to Sequester Complaints

Stacy Kaper and Rebecca Kaplan and Amy Harder contributed | March 24, 2013

As lawmakers were preparing to go back home to their districts for a two-week recess, many were already getting an earful of grievances from constituents about the sequester’s impact and were bracing to hear far more in meetings and town halls.

From Hoops to Harry Potter: Behind the Scenes of the Senate's All-Nighter

Shane Goldmacher and Nancy Cook | March 23, 2013

After four years of waiting, senators unleashed a torrent of budget amendments that pushed the vote-a-rama well into Saturday morning. No wonder everyone looked a little unhinged.

Can Rand Paul Bring Libertarians Into the GOP?

Alex Roarty | March 21, 2013

Mainstream Republicans may not welcome them, but the party could use the lift.

On the Move: March 23, 2013

Christopher Snow Hopkins and Mike Magner | March 21, 2013

Kelly Nallen is American Crossroads' new director of digital. Former Hillary Clinton collaborator Kris Balderston is a senior partner at Fleishman-Hillard. Onetime DeLay policy director Juliane Sullivan heads the House Education and the Workforce staff.

Obamacare Is a Prescription for a Democratic Headache in 2014

Alex Roarty and Beth Reinhard | March 21, 2013

With key provisions of "Obamacare" set to take effect in 2014, both parties are assessing the potential political fallout from the seismic changes coming to our health care system.

Organic-Food Champion’s Departure From USDA Sows Seeds of Concern

Jerry Hagstrom | March 20, 2013

Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan’s upcoming departure has raised a lot of questions about the Obama administration’s commitment to organic and local food production, but she said in an exclusive interview Wednesday that it will have almost four more years to institutionalize the changes she has made at the department.

Public Opinion Stays Static on Affordable Care Act

Margot Sanger-Katz | March 20, 2013

In the three years since the Affordable Care Act became law, it has become fodder for campaign ads and the subject of a high-profile Supreme Court challenge, while news analysts have endlessly debated and dissected it. None of that has had any effect on public opinion.

Senate Reaches Deal on Bill to Fund Government Through End of Fiscal Year

Billy House | March 20, 2013

Senate Democrats and Republicans have reached a deal on proceeding this afternoon with a bill to fund government through Sept. 30, the remainder of the fiscal year.

Obamacare at Age 3: Still Too Young for Prognosis

Margot Sanger-Katz | March 19, 2013

Most major components of the Affordable Care Act don't go into effect until next year.

Why the Trader Joe's Model Benefits Workers--And the Bottom-Line

Sophie Quinton | March 18, 2013

Companies that invest in higher salaries for low-level employees find success in a competitive market.

GOP Can't Win Latinos Over Immigration

Matthew Cooper | March 17, 2013

Earlier this winter, Ann Coulter brought her usual light touch to the question of the Hispanic vote. The author of Godless: The Church of Liberalism argued in a column that Republicans who support immigration reform in an effort to court Latinos are wasting their time. “It’s not clear that amnesty wins any Hispanics,” Coulter wrote, “apart from the ones who can’t vote (because they’re illegal) and their ethnic ‘spokesmen,’ whose power increases as the Hispanic population grows.” Hispanics gravitate toward Democrats, she insisted, because they believe in more government, and no immigration courtship will seduce them.

The Weird Time Warp of the George W. Bush White House Website

Brian Resnick | March 15, 2013

Step back in time to a era where the Affordable Care Act was a laughable dream, when No Child Left behind was touted by the White House, when Barack Obama was not president of the United States.

In Senate, Assault Weapons Are Complicated

Fawn Johnson | March 14, 2013

The Senate Judiciary Committee’s vote Thursday approving an assault-weapons ban was a sham—if you think the purpose was to ban assault weapons. If you think the committee’s vote offered an opportunity for lawmakers to parse and deliberate complicated and unresolved questions about the Constitution, guns, and violence, then it was a highly productive 90 minutes.

Republicans Can't Win Latinos With Immigration Reform

Matthew Cooper | March 14, 2013

From big government to gay rights, America's fastest-growing demographic bloc aligns with Democrats.

SEIU Endorses Markey in Another Setback for Lynch

Kevin Brennan | March 14, 2013

In the latest setback for Rep. Stephen Lynch's, D-Mass., Senate campaign, the Massachusetts Service Employees International Union on Thursday endorsed Lynch's Democratic primary opponent, Rep. Ed Markey. While Markey entered the race to replace Secretary of State John Kerry with the backing of nati...

GOP Aide: Obama's 'Using Us As Props'

Chris Frates and Billy House and Tim Alberta and and Amy Harder contributed | March 13, 2013

President Obama continued his goodwill tour this week with stops at the Capitol to meet with House and Senate Republicans.

Obama's Pope Francis Challenge: Appoint a New Ambassador to the Vatican

Brian Resnick | March 13, 2013

How that appointment might come to define the U.S.-papal relationship.

After Snag, Senate Moving on Bill to Avert Shutdown

Billy House | March 13, 2013

The Senate on Wednesday morning was opening its debate on a bill to keep government funded through Sept. 30, after Republicans dropped objections to proceeding.

House Republican Budget Offers More of the Same

Nancy Cook | March 12, 2013

By unveiling a budget blueprint that would erase the deficit in just 10 years, House Republicans sought on Tuesday to make that goal the gold standard and bare minimum for all future budget battles between the two parties.

Washington Gets Back to Its Day Job

Major Garrett | March 12, 2013

After years of busting its deadlines, Washington rediscovers what matters with the latest round of budgets.

Paul Ryan's Budget, Simplified: Save the Rich, Spare the Old, Forget the Poor

Derek Thompson - The Atlantic | March 12, 2013

It balances the budget! But it solves our income inequality problem like a flamethrower solves a house fire.

Deal in Sight to Keep the Government Open

Stacy Kaper | March 12, 2013

The House appears willing to accept the Senate's proposal to keep the government funded for the rest of the fiscal year, avoiding a protracted fight that could lead to a government shutdown by the end of the month.

House GOP Confident on Paul Ryan’s Medicare Plan

Alex Roarty | March 11, 2013

The House Budget Committee chairman’s plan to balance the federal budget in 10 years would have been, until recently, cause for House Republicans to fret. But emboldened by last year’s elections, the House GOP believes it can adopt his new proposal and avoid backlash at the same time.

The Violence Against Women Act Started With One Woman: Ludy Green

Christopher Snow Hopkins | March 11, 2013

A few years ago, Ludy Green placed a victim of domestic violence in the Washington office of an esteemed international organization, with a salary of $45,000, plus benefits.

Paul Ryan's Obamacare Repeal Fantasy

Jill Lawrence | March 11, 2013

Even with Obama in the White House until 2017, the Wisconsin Republican's new budget relies on repealing most of the Affordable Care Act.

Dueling Budget Plans Help Define Both Parties

Nancy Cook | March 10, 2013

By the middle of this week, Americans will once again be plunged into the wildly different world views of Republicans and Democrats as the two parties release competing budget proposals within hours of one another.

Why the Republican Plan to Reform Medicare Could Really Make It More Expensive

Margot Sanger-Katz | March 7, 2013

Republicans like Paul Ryan want more market competition in federal health care programs. Trouble is, those plans don't save money.

The Real Budget Battle

Tim Alberta and Stacy Kaper | March 7, 2013

In Washington, all financial skirmishes lead to the same place.

Will a Bargain Be Struck to Reverse the Sequestration Cuts?

Michael Catalini and Naureen Khan and Peter Bell | March 7, 2013

In Washington, all financial skirmishes lead to the same place.

Obama's Dinner Out With Senators Didn't Solve the Budget Mess, But It Did Ease Tensions

Nancy Cook | March 7, 2013

Want the partisan acrimony between Democrats and Republicans to fade? Turns out all you need to do is buy people a fancy meal.

Obama Is on the Wrong Side of History — and Rand Paul — on Drone Warfare

Ron Fournier | March 7, 2013

Until the president explains the standard for assassinating American terrorism suspects on U.S. soil, voters will assume the worst and demand better.

Harry Reid: The Closet Environmentalist

Amy Harder | March 6, 2013

He doesn’t tout it, but the Senate majority leader is one of the greenest members of Congress.

The Obama Administration's Super-Expensive, Legally Dubious Medicaid Plan

Margot Sanger-Katz | March 5, 2013

Arkansas is a test case for a new privatization plan that could win support from GOP politicians in other states.

That Was Quick: Now There's Legislation on Cell-Phone Unlocking

Brian Fung | March 5, 2013

From the beginning, White House petitioners looking to keep phone-unlocking legal have insisted that they want Congress’ help. Barely a day after their first victory, in which the Obama administration expressed support for unlocking, they got more good news: Congress is paying attention.

The Math Behind the Automatic Budget Cuts

Niraj Chokshi | March 5, 2013

Under a deal to raise the legal limit on the government's borrowing in August 2011, lawmakers agreed to roughly $1 trillion in spending cuts over the next decade and set up a process to find at least $1.2 trillion in further savings. Under that deal, known as the Budget Control Act, a "supercommittee" was established to try to hammer out an agreement on long-term budget savings. The committee folded in 2011 without an agreement on deficit reduction, setting the stage for automatic cuts to mostly discretionary programs totaling $1.2 trillion to kick in starting in 2013. The cuts, known as sequestration, apply to both domestic programs and defense spending.

The 6 Species of Secretaries That Will Define Obama's Term

Matthew Cooper | March 5, 2013

The president has made most of his top administration picks. Here's how they all fit into his second term.

How Long Can Boehner Contain the Rebellion?

Tim Alberta | March 3, 2013

Conservatives will give him a chance for now, but their patience is almost out.

EPA Funding Reductions Have Kneecapped Environmental Enforcement

Coral Davenport | March 3, 2013

Budget cuts have greatly diminished the EPA's ability to enforce environmental laws.

Five Staff Positions to Watch: Chiefs of Staff for Freshman Senators

Amy Harder and Stacy Kaper | March 3, 2013

Meet the chiefs of staff for five of the Senate's newest members.

Why House Conservatives Cheered the Sequester

Tim Alberta | March 3, 2013

There probably weren't any champagne bottles uncorked in the Capitol on Friday, but there's no question that House conservatives saw the arrival of automatic spending cuts known as the sequester as cause for celebration.

Republicans Considering Senate Bids Split on VAWA Vote

Steven Shepard and Sarah Mimms and Alex Brown | February 28, 2013

The House voted Thursday to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act by a more-than-two-to-one margin, but a number of House Republicans mulling Senate contests in 2014 joined the majority of their caucus in opposing the bill. Most House Republicans in red states voted against the measure, includ...

How the Sequester Could Play Out

Stacy Kaper | February 28, 2013

With sequestration all but certain to kick in Friday, there are several scenarios that may unfold. Here are some possibilities for the ensuing policy and politics.

Club for Growth President Chocola: ‘Sooner or Later, They Won’t Want You to be their Speaker’

Shane Goldmacher | February 28, 2013

The passage of the Violence Against Women Act on Thursday marked the third time in two months that major legislation had cleared the House with the support of less than half of House Republicans.

Rumors Over Food Aid Spark Controversy Among Groups Fighting World Hunger

Jerry Hagstrom | February 27, 2013

There is no nobler cause than feeding hungry people in poor countries and helping them develop their own farms so they can produce more of their own food.

White House sequester meeting? Cue Republican Eye Roll

Chris Frates | February 27, 2013

Don't expect much out of Friday's meeting among President Obama and congressional leaders. Initial GOP reaction to the meeting? It's a farce.

Is Anything Safe From the Automatic Budget Cuts? Actually, a Few Things Are.

Niraj Chokshi | February 27, 2013

Yes, the across-the-board spending cuts set to go into effect on Friday are blunt. And it’s true they will affect most corners of the federal government. But some programs are safe. In fact, it’s a lot easier to identify what’s been spared the axe than what hasn’t, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service.

Some Republicans Think They Can’t Lose on Sequestration

Chris Frates | February 26, 2013

President Obama has been barnstorming across the country warning that if automatic, across-the-board spending cuts are allowed to take effect Friday, economic calamity would not be far behind.

McAuliffe, Bolling Trading Calls in Run-Up to Bolling's Decision

Dan Roem | February 26, 2013

ARLINGTON, Va. -- As Virginia Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling approaches his own March 14th deadline for making a decision about whether to enter the 2013 gubernatorial race as an independent, former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe is doing everything he can to stay on Bolling's good si...

What Is Sequestration and What Does It Mean for Me?

Niraj Chokshi | February 26, 2013

The massive spending cuts are broad, bad for states, bad for business, bad for the economy, and bad for a lot of people.

After the Sequester, Government Shutdown Looms

Stacy Kaper and Amy Harder | February 25, 2013

Congressional leaders are already shifting their focus to the next spending battle after the automatic budget sequester takes effect on Friday—how to keep the government running—but the Democratic strategy on this fight is far from set.

Congress and Obama Assign Blame as Sequester Deadline Approaches

Billy House | February 24, 2013

Just four days remain until Friday’s start date for federal spending cuts that were supposed to be too painful to ever let happen, but lawmakers return to Washington on Monday with little hope for an eleventh-hour deal to avert or reshape them—or any let-up in the fighting over who is to blame.

Insiders: Yes, Sequestration Will Really Hurt U.S. National Security

Sara Sorcher | February 22, 2013

Insiders also support arming Syria's rebels.

Why Medical Providers Don't Mind the Sequester

Margot Sanger-Katz | February 21, 2013

A grand bargain to reduce the budget deficit would sting health care providers. The sequester, by contrast, won’t really hurt.

Florida Governor's Embrace of Medicaid Money Undercuts GOP Attacks on 'Obamacare'

Beth Reinhard and Margot Sanger-Katz | February 21, 2013

Republicans who seemed united against "Obamacare" just two years ago suddenly find some prominent party leaders taking a different tack.

What Would President Romney Do?

Josh Kraushaar | February 21, 2013

For those convinced that President Obama doesn’t deserve any blame for the fiscal gridlock, let’s do a thought experiment. Let’s imagine that Mitt Romney was elected president and was dealing with the same Congress that Obama has faced so much trouble with in getting legislation to avert sequestration and myriad fiscal emergencies. Would a President Romney be confronting the same crisis?

Can This Congress Be Saved?

Alex Roarty | February 21, 2013

National Journal’s annual vote ratings show a Congress as paralyzed and polarized as ever. But better days may lie ahead.

Senate Democrats Get Ready to Defend Obama's Climate-Change Rules

Amy Harder | February 20, 2013

Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Sen. Barbara Boxer is mounting a relentless defense of Obama’s global-warming rules.

How the Continuing Resolution Got Pegged to March 4

Tim Alberta and Stacy Kaper and Chris Frates contributed | February 20, 2013

The House will not take up a continuing resolution to keep the government funded before the week of March 4, but how it came to that starting date is the subject of some debate.

Rick Scott Agrees to Medicaid Expansion, Despite Criticism of Health Care Law

Jordain Carney | February 20, 2013

Florida Gov. Rick Scott, a long-time critic of Pres. Obama’s health care law, announced on Wednesday evening that the state would support a three-year Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. "I was a strong advocate for better ways to run health care,” Scott said during a press confer...

NJ Topics Bills And Votes