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National Journal Coverage
Chris Christie

The Coming GOP Civil War Over Climate Change

Coral Davenport | May 9, 2013
Science, storms, and demographics are starting to change minds among the rank and file. 
Sky

Why Carbon Is So Hard to Regulate

Coral Davenport | May 2, 2013
It’s everywhere and touches everything. EPA can crack down, but only by stretching the law. 
Harry Reid

Round Two for Gun Control May Take a ‘Next Newtown’

Shane Goldmacher | April 24, 2013
A week after gun legislation suffered a stinging defeat in the Senate, an uncomfortable realization has settled over the Capitol that it will likely take another mass shooting or similar tragedy to reignite momentum for gun control.
Lisa Jackson

Waiting for a Clash on Climate Change

Coral Davenport | April 17, 2013
In 2011, congressional Republicans put a bull’s-eye on the Environmental Protection Agency.
coal plant

Utilities, Enviros Tracking New Rules

Coral Davenport | April 17, 2013
The Environmental Protection Agency has embarked on a historic undertaking: writing a sweeping set of regulations aimed at slowing global warming by dramatically cutting pollution from the nation’s fleet of coal-fired power plants.

Poll: Which Senate Seats Are Likeliest to Flip?

Michael Catalini and Naureen Khan and Peter Bell | April 11, 2013
Insiders say those of Democrats Tim Johnson and Jay Rockefeller are the most vulnerable.
Gina McCarthy

Why Obama's Environmental Pick Drives Some Republicans Crazy

Coral Davenport | April 11, 2013
At her confirmation hearing, Gina McCarthy gets grilled on climate change, regulations, and even instant messaging.
Tom Carper

There Are Now Only 7 Senate Democrats Opposing Gay Marriage

Michael Catalini | April 2, 2013
Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware endorsed gay marriage this morning on Facebook, bringing to seven the number of Democratic senators who have yet to publicly support the issue. 
John Barrow

To Hold Senate Majority, Democrats Target the Most Conservative States in the Country

Michael Catalini | March 29, 2013
With races concentrated in Republican states, party officials are aggressively courting  moderate candidates.
Rep. Steve Israel

House Democrats See Potential Gains in 2014 Without Obama on the Ticket

Alex Roarty | March 28, 2013
DCCC officials say they have found a silver lining amid much pessimism about the 2014 midterm elections.

Have Democrats Found Another Manchin in West Virginia?

Sarah Mimms | March 20, 2013
Though for the last several weeks, Democratic hopes of retaining Sen. Jay Rockefeller's seat in 2014 have looked bleak, it seems party operatives may have finally found their unicorn in West Virginia: a wealthy, pro-coal, pro-business Democrat in the style of Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V. Attorney Nick Preservati has spoken with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee about running for the seat, in conversations that the committee found "encouraging," according to a source with knowledge of the discussions.
Sen. Joe Manchin

Have Democrats Found Another Manchin in West Virginia?

Sarah Mimms | March 20, 2013
Though for the last several weeks, Democratic hopes of retaining Sen. Jay Rockefeller's seat in 2014 have looked bleak, it seems party operatives may have finally found their unicorn in West Virginia: a wealthy, pro-coal, pro-business Democrat in the style of Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V. Attorney Nick P...
Keystone XL Pipeline

Why the White House Loves Natural Gas

Coral Davenport | March 14, 2013
While green groups protest outside, the president huddles inside the White House with oil and gas executives.
coal plant

Coal Power Plants Are Killing Thousands in Europe

John Metcalfe and Atlantic Cities | March 11, 2013
Lots of the world's attention has been focused recently on the startlingly high levels of smog in China. But things aren't too great in Europe, either, where the popularity of coal-fired power plants is endangering the lives of entire generations of people.
China's smog problem

How Dirty, Polluted China Takes Climate Change More Seriously Than We Do

Coral Davenport | March 7, 2013
People may not be able to breathe in Beijing, but its politicians are doing more than U.S. lawmakers are to slow global warming.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid tours a Nevada solar plant in 2010.

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.
Gina McCarthy

Gina McCarthy, Obama's 'Green Quarterback,' Has a History of Working With Industry

Coral Davenport | March 4, 2013
Gina McCarthy, President Obama’s pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, has been called the president's "green quarterback." But she also has a reputation as a political pragmatist who works well with industry and listens to concerns. If confirmed she will become the face of Obama’s sweeping ambitions to tackle climate change as a legacy issue and will write rules to force the coal industry to change its ways. 
Sandy Potomac river flooding

Can Climate-Change Denier Ken Cuccinelli Win a Swing State?

Coral Davenport | March 3, 2013
In storm-battered Virginia, the Republican candidate for governor still doubts the science.
Superstorm Sandy House

Obama Administration Reaches Out to Local Governments to Spread Its Climate Message

Coral Davenport | February 24, 2013
President Obama used his Inaugural Address and State of the Union speech to issue the boldest, clearest call to action on climate change ever voiced by a sitting U.S. president—but don’t expect him to barnstorm across the country with that message.
Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W. Va.

Early Poll: Capito Positioned to Capture W. Va. Senate Seat for GOP

Steven Shepard | February 11, 2013
Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., is the early, prohibitive favorite to succeed Democratic Sen. Jay Rockefeller, according to the results of a GOP poll released Monday. The survey, conducted by the Charleston-based Mark Blankenship Enterprises, shows Capito with an 18-point lead over Democratic R...
Robert Menendez

Bob Menendez Spent Up to 87 Percent of Wealth Paying Back Donor

Shane Goldmacher | February 5, 2013
When Robert Menendez arrived in the U.S. Senate in 2006, he was a relative pauper in a chamber often called a millionaires’ club. The New Jersey Democrat ranked 97th out of 100 senators in terms of his personal wealth, according to financial records filed that year and compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics.
West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin

Joe Manchin in the Middle

Michael Catalini | January 31, 2013
The West Virginia Democrat is a moderate, which means it's hard to pin him down on hot-button issues.
Man sitting at a bar drinking

A 12-Step Program for the Republican Party

Tim Alberta and Jim O'Sullivan | January 24, 2013
The GOP has finally admitted it has a problem winning over voters. Here’s a 12-step program to get the party back on track.

How Obama Can Tackle Climate Change Without Congress

Coral Davenport | January 22, 2013
President Obama’s Inaugural Address was his boldest, clearest signal to date that he intends to take on the challenge of fighting climate change as a signature achievement of his presidency. 
Inauguration Photos from the Capitol

What Obama Wants and What Congress Will Give Him

Stacy Kaper and Rebecca Kaplan and Coral Davenport and Fawn Johnson and Margot Sanger-Katz and and Amy Harder contributed | January 21, 2013
How the president's vision fits with what Congress is likely to do.
Obama gives Inauguration speech at the Capitol

Chastened by His Times, Obama Falls Short of History in Inaugural Address

Ron Fournier | January 21, 2013
“We cannot mistake absolutism for principle," Obama tells both allies and rivals.

'No Labels' Vows Full Disclosure of Donors

Ron Fournier | January 14, 2013
In reversal, 'problem-solving" group embraces transparency
John Huntsman

'No Labels' Adds Washington Muscle to Reform Washington

Ron Fournier | January 14, 2013
Centrist and squishy no more? Grassroots advocacy group shifts focus in bid to fix political system.
Gateway Mine

The Shift Of King Coal

Reid Wilson | January 14, 2013
The coal industry still dominates in Appalachia, and that's becoming very bad news for the Democratic party.

Rahall, Tennant Have Their Eyes On Rockefeller's Seat

Sarah Mimms | January 11, 2013
With Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.V., deciding not to run for reelection, fellow West Virginia Democrats Rep. Nick Rahall and Secretary of State Natalie Tennant are considering running for his seat. "I haven't ruled anything in or out," Tennant told the Hotline, adding that she had received several ph...
Jay Rockefeller

Rockefeller Presents Democratic Challenge

Reid Wilson | January 11, 2013
Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) will become the first incumbent senator to call it quits when he announces his decision to retire later this morning. He's the first -- though maybe not the last -- senator to create an open seat that will be tough for his party to keep.For 30 years, Rockefeller has held...
Trucking pollution

Obama Faces Dilemma on 'Mother of All’ Climate-Change Regulations

Coral Davenport | January 10, 2013
How President Obama could clean up carbon emissions—alone.

Do Jon Huntsman and Joe Manchin Have Independent Presidential Aspirations?

Ron Fournier | January 3, 2013
While we're on the topic of Chris Christie and independent political movements, here's an interesting item from No Labels, the grassroots organization dedicated to bipartisan problem-solving: Republican Jon Huntsman and Democrat Joe Manchin are its new national leaders.
Heitkamp

Heitkamp to be Key Energy Voice Among Moderate Democrats

Amy Harder | December 27, 2012
Heidi Heitkamp—the Democrat who surprised everyone and beat her Republican challenger Rick Berg to win the North Dakota Senate seat in this year’s election—will be an important leader in a growing group of moderate Democratic senators hailing from energy-rich states.

Should Congress Support Wind Tax Credit?

Sen. Lamar Alexander and R-Tenn. | December 17, 2012
[Editor's note: Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., is guest-moderating and providing the question this week. Alexander is a member of the committees on Appropriations and Environment and Public Works.] Should Congress extend wind power's federal tax credit for six years at a cost of about $50 billion...
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