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GOP’s Switch on Financial Disclosure Wins Gold Medal in Hypocrisy Olympics

Norm Ornstein | 5:30 p.m.

First, let me be clear: There has been political intimidation of the Internal Revenue Service and other government agencies for partisan purposes.

Peters Manager A Familiar Face

Alex Brown | May 21, 2013

Rep. Gary Peters has turned to a familiar face to manage his Senate campaign: Julie Petrick, the Democratic strategist who ran his first congressional race in 2008, will take over his statewide bid Tuesday. Petrick comes to the campaign from EMILY's List, where she worked in the political departmen...

Schweitzer Elected Stillwater Chairman, Mum on Senate Run

Scott Bland | May 20, 2013

Stillwater Mining Company, the largest public corporation in Montana and one of the state's largest employers, announced Monday that former Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer was elected chairman of the company's board. He will help lead a search to replace the company's longtime CEO, Frank McAllister...

Ready to Testify on Financial Stability, Lew Is Likely To Be Grilled on IRS Scandal

Catherine Hollander | May 20, 2013

The poor Financial Stability Oversight Council. It's likely this will be the second year in a row where testimony on the council's annual report turns into a grill-a-thon on the scandal du jour.

S&P Warns Congress of Risks of Political Brinkmanship on Debt

Stacy Kaper | May 19, 2013

The group's top analyst for the U.S. government's credit rating says making big fiscal decisions in a crisis setting raises chances of another downgrade.

So, a Fed Chairman Is Speaking at Your Graduation

Catherine Hollander | May 17, 2013

"The future of the country is in jeopardy." It's what every college graduate wants to hear while sitting up on that stage, sweltering in the spring heat with friends and family watching.

Are Recessions Good for Your Health?

Niraj Chokshi | May 17, 2013

With the recovery underway, things are starting to look up. Consumer confidence rose to a six-year high on Friday, the housing sector is improving, the economic gears are turning. But there may also be a less-welcome rebound: fatalities could rise.

Play of the Day: The Salad of Obama Scandals

Ross Gianfortune and Government Executive | May 17, 2013

Fast forward to 2:40 to see Stephen Colbert show how Eric Holder held up in a hearing against a representative who didn't exactly use his words correctly.

Where Are We on Too Big to Fail?

Catherine Hollander | May 17, 2013

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Why You Won’t Own Your Road

Fawn Johnson | May 16, 2013

Cash-strapped states such as Virginia are turning to the private sector to help finance large infrastructure projects.

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 U.S. Is Not ‘Credit-Positive’

Stacy Kaper | May 16, 2013

If the debt-ceiling debate doesn’t bring real reform, says the S&P analyst in charge of grading government creditworthiness, get ready for another downgrade.

Play of the Day: Is Obama Nixonian?

Ross Gianfortune and Government Executive | May 16, 2013

On the anniversary of the Watergate hearings, late-night comedy examines the triumvirate of White House scandals.

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.

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.”

Natural-Gas Exports Loom Large Over Washington

Amy Harder | May 14, 2013

COVE POINT, Md.–Along the banks of the Chesapeake Bay, a little more than an hour south of the U.S. Capitol, sits a facility whose golden days of importing natural gas are gone. Back in 2004 and 2005, when fuel prices were high, ships hauling natural gas from overseas docked here two or three times a week.

As Washington Is Scandalized, The Tea Party Salivates

Beth Reinhard | May 14, 2013

The swirl of Washington scandal offers the movement a kind of “I-told-you-so” bragging rights.

What Moscow's Arrest Says About U.S.-Russia Relationship

James Kitfield | May 14, 2013

As the U.S. and Russia go through the motions of expelling each other’s “diplomats” in the coming days, it’s likely they will only be pawns in a much bigger game.

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.

H-1B Visas to Have Their Day in Committee

Fawn Johnson | May 13, 2013

The tech community will have its first chance Tuesday to weigh in, carefully, on major immigration legislation being debated in the Senate. The influential lobbying force that has for years scrambled for access to highly skilled foreign workers must now carry out a rough balancing act: making sure lawmakers know that the bill, as written, does not work for it, but that it doesn’t want to kill the process, either.

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.

Obama's Struggles Hampering Democratic Recruitment

Alex Roarty | May 13, 2013

It's tough to persuade Democrats to run in a challenging political environment.

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.

How 3D-Printed Guns Violate International Arms Controls (or Maybe Not)

Brian Fung | May 10, 2013

The State Department has ordered the world’s first manufacturer of the 3D-printed gun to take down his blueprints from the Internet.

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 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.

Will New Oil Reserves Tempt Americans Back Into Wastefulness?

Coral Davenport | May 9, 2013

Recently discovered reserves suggest fossil fuels will last longer than we thought. But the economy won’t grow if Americans don’t use that energy efficiently.

Why Mexico Will Always Play Second Fiddle

George E. Condon Jr. | May 9, 2013

Like all presidents, Barack Obama says he wants a better relationship with his neighbors to the south. Then events get in the way.

Overhauling the Tax Code With 'Max and Dave'

Nancy Cook | May 9, 2013

Max Baucus and Dave Camp, Congress's top tax-writers, are taking their message to the Internet in hopes of building public support for their efforts.

Who Says Fiscal Policy Is Hurting the Economy? (Almost) Everyone.

Niraj Chokshi | May 9, 2013

OK, not everyone thinks that the recent spending cuts and tax hikes are slowing the recovery, but plenty of experts say current fiscal policy will slow growth in 2013—by anywhere from 0.3 percent to 2 percent.

Immigration Law May Be Tough on the Poor

Fawn Johnson | May 7, 2013

Don’t expect Congress to dive too deeply into the politically unforgiving topic of how the United States treats poor people as it begins debating immigration legislation. But that question is always lurking beneath the surface.

Alliances Tested as Immigration Amendments Roll In

Rebecca Kaplan | May 7, 2013

Amendments to the Gang of Eight's bill were due by close of business Tuesday and already alliances are being tested among both members who support and those who oppose comprehensive immigration reform.

The Hottest Trend for Wealthy Do-Gooders

Sophie Quinton | May 7, 2013

The Rockefeller Foundation's Judith Rodin explains impact investing. But she warns: "This is not the solution to less government funding."

What if the Internet Sales Tax Doesn't Make it Through Congress?

Brian Fung | May 6, 2013

Legislation allowing states to collect sales taxes on purchases made over the Internet—approved by the Senate in a 69-27 vote Monday evening—faces an uncertain future in the House.

Marco Rubio: A Successful Salesman for Immigration Reform?

Rebecca Kaplan | May 5, 2013

Recess has been tough for Marco Rubio.

Forget the Unemployment Rate: The Alarming Stat Is the Number of 'Missing Workers'

Nancy Cook | May 3, 2013

The unemployment rate dipped slightly to 7.5 percent in April, but that’s little consolation for the millions of workers who have dropped out of the labor force and who economists struggle to understand.

The Cajun Comeback

Adam B. Kushner | May 2, 2013

Eight years after Katrina, New Orleans is finding new ways to address old problems. Scenes from a turnaround.

The New Urban Brand War: A Top-Level Domain for Every City on Earth

Henry Grabar - The Atlantic Cities | May 2, 2013

Craving a slice in Istanbul? Check out www.pizza.istanbul. Need a taxi in Tokyo? Try www.taxi.tokyo.

Has Washington Given Up on the Economy?

Jill Lawrence | May 2, 2013

When it comes to jobs, Obama should forget 'permission structures' and go into cheerleading mode.

Immigration Will Be Hot Topic During President Obama's Trip to Mexico

George E. Condon Jr. | May 2, 2013

President heads south of the border on Thursday.

What You Need to Know About Obama's Trade Pick Mike Froman

Matt Vasilogambros | May 1, 2013

President Obama nominated one of his top national security advisers, Mike Froman, as the next U.S. trade representative on Thursday. Froman would replace Ron Kirk, who stepped down last month.

Is Obama's Legacy Great Leadership or Bad Breaks? Check the Sports Pages

Ron Fournier | May 1, 2013

An old baseball adage applies to the president: 'The great ones play above the breaks.'

Bloss-Baum Pushes for Artists' Rights in Her New Public-Affairs Firm

Christopher Snow Hopkins | April 29, 2013

As lawmakers mulled legislation to safeguard the rights of performing artists in 2010, two musicians sat in the office of then-Rep. Charlie Gonzalez, D-Texas, hopeful that he would support the bill.

Special Interests Shadow Immigration Reform

Beth Reinhard | April 26, 2013

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

The American Dream, Downsized

Amy Sullivan and Sophie Quinton contributed | April 25, 2013

The middle class now worries more about holding on for dear life than about climbing the ladder to riches.

The Middle Class Is Coming Out of Its Coma

April 25, 2013

National Journal introduces its index of middle-class well-being—using 17 measurements from household debt to social trust.

Millennials Are the Unluckiest Generation

Derek Thompson | April 25, 2013

Entering the workforce during a recession puts young people behind from the start.

Two Completely Different Ways to Deal With the Upward-Mobility Crisis

Ronald Brownstein | April 25, 2013

Top economists from the Clinton and Bush administrations debate how to revive the economy to keep people from getting stuck.

Five Cool Innovations to Lift Workers Into the Middle Class

Sophie Quinton | April 25, 2013

From rent-subsidized apartments for single moms to an online medical clinic that saves $88 per diagnosis, American ingenuity works.

6 Ways to Get the Long-Term Unemployed Back to Work

Niraj Chokshi | April 25, 2013

It’s one of the most puzzling modern economic problems: how do you get those who have been jobless the longest back to work? Their share of the unemployed doubled in recent years and their numbers have remained stubbornly high. And, at a Wednesday hearing, lawmakers sought to explore what could be done about it.

Gene Sperling, Top Econ Adviser: 'The Era of Threatening Default Is Over'

Catherine Hollander | April 25, 2013

Gene Sperling, President Obama’s top economic adviser, sketched out a hopeful scenario on Thursday for the next round of budget negotiations.

What If Oil Lasts Forever?

Charles C. Mann - The Atlantic | April 25, 2013

New technology and a little-known energy source suggest that fossil fuels may not be finite. This would be a miracle—and a nightmare.

Being In the Middle Class Means Worrying About Falling Behind

Ronald Brownstein | April 25, 2013

After years of economic turmoil, most families now believe the most valuable—and elusive—possession in American life is economic security.

Agricultural Workers and Farmers Unite to Push Congress on Immigration Reform

Jerry Hagstrom | April 24, 2013

The sight of the head of the United Farm Workers and farmer representatives testifying side by side before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday to promote the farmworker section of the immigration-reform bill was an extraordinary moment in American agriculture.

Why We Need to Move Ahead on IP

Ajit Pai | April 24, 2013

When it comes to communications technology, federal regulations shouldn’t discourage innovation. They have to keep up with the times.

Is There Such Thing as Too Much Evidence?

Brian Resnick | April 24, 2013

Assembling the case against Dzhokhar Tsarnaev won't be as simple as it appears from the news.

The Poorly Attended Hearing on One of the Economy's Toughest Problems

Niraj Chokshi | April 24, 2013

It stands to reason that lawmakers who often decry the high jobless rate would want to be seen publicly trying to tackle the problem, right? Well, apparently not.

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.

Get Ready To Be Taxed on Internet Purchases

Nancy Cook | April 22, 2013

The Senate is scheduled to debate the Internet sales-tax legislation this week. The bill is expected to pass.

Bob Corker Charts Leadership Course

Stacy Kaper | April 22, 2013

Sen. Bob Corker's independent voice on high-profile issues and scholarly devotion to studying policies he is interested in have made GOP leaders take notice of him and want to keep the Tennessee Republican close at hand — both to capitalize on his expertise and to watch his moves.

Routes to a Budget Deal Appear Stalled

Nancy Cook | April 18, 2013

The two routes to an agreement—regular order or schmoozing—do not seem to be working, despite Washington's deep dive into fiscal issues.

Neil Fried, Majority Chief Counsel, Communications and Technology Subcommittee

Brian Fung | April 17, 2013

Neil Fried came to Washington without a shred of telecom experience. Now, he’s counted as one of the top tech-policy experts in government—so much so that he was considered for chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, according to industry analysts.

Manufacturers Focus on Reforming Tax Code and Reducing Barriers to Trade

Catherine Hollander | April 17, 2013

Manufacturers are, naturally, the biggest stakeholders in the committee’s discussion of improving the manufacturing sector.

U.S. and E.U. Will Gnaw on Trade Agreement

Catherine Hollander | April 17, 2013

Late last month, the White House notified Congress that it planned to begin negotiating a comprehensive trade and investment agreement with the European Union. Talks on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership are expected to begin in June—and that’s when the House Energy and Commerce Committee will step up its involvement.

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.

Manufacturers, Ag Interests Will Lobby for Trade Deal

Catherine Hollander | April 17, 2013

The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership won’t be focused on already-low tariffs between the U.S. and European Union. It will be focused on so-called “behind the border” measures, like regulation—and that means there will be plenty of stakeholders with strong opinions.

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.

Keystone Pits Oil Companies Against Environmentalists

Coral Davenport | April 17, 2013

It’s likely that more corporations, coalitions, and advocacy groups have lobbied, rallied, and written letters about the Keystone XL oil pipeline than about any other pipeline ever built in the United States.

How Much Natural Gas Should the U.S. Export?

Amy Harder | April 17, 2013

The Energy and Commerce Committee’s leaders and aides are unsure how to tackle one of the biggest debates in the energy space right now: natural-gas exports.

How Can Congress Help Manufacturers?

Catherine Hollander | April 17, 2013

The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade kicked off 2013 with a focus on its middle name. It’s fitting. After all, Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., who chairs the committee, changed the subcommittee name when he took over in 2011 to include an explicit reference to manufacturing.

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.

The Art and Agony of Oversight

Mike Magner | April 17, 2013

What many consider to be the golden age of congressional oversight can be summed up by a word coined but no longer heard much on Capitol Hill: “Dingell-gram.”

Mark Sanford Attacks Elizabeth Colbert Busch in First General Election Ad

Sarah Mimms | April 17, 2013

Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford is out with his first television ad since becoming the GOP nominee in the special election in South Carolina's 1st District, going after Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch for her ties to unions. {{ BIZOBJ (video: 4280) }} "Elizabeth Colbert Busch says she kno...

Crowdfunding Everything From Solar Panels to Veronica Mars

Sophie Quinton | April 17, 2013

A growing number of online companies help connect entrepreneurs and borrowers with investors and donors.

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.

McAuliffe's $5-Million Quarter Gives Him Va. Cash Advantage

Dan Roem | April 16, 2013

The $5.1 million raised by former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe in the first quarter for this fall's Virginia gubernatorial election dwarfed the $2.4 million of Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, the Republican nominee, during the same time period. McAuliffe also reported $5...

The ‘Liberal Bulldog’ Takes on His Biggest Challenge

Coral Davenport | April 16, 2013

Rep. Henry Waxman, the California liberal who has spent decades battling the tobacco, coal, and pharmaceutical industries, is taking on what appears to be the most insurmountable challenge of his long career.

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.

Ralph Nader’s Newest Crusade: Raising the Minimum Wage

Mike Magner | April 12, 2013

Consumer advocate Ralph Nader has a new crusade for 2013—raising the federal minimum wage from $7.25 an hour, where it has stagnated since President Obama took office in 2009.

Previewing the Sunday Shows

Christopher Peleo-Lazar | April 12, 2013

A deal on gun control, President Obama's budget proposal and the Senate's Gang of Eight pending immigration proposal are at the top of the Sunday show agenda. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is hitting the airwaves with a "Full Ginsburg," including Univision's Al Punto. Sens. Pat Toomey, R-Pa. and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., will appear on State of the Union and Face the Nation talking about their bipartisan gun control deal. Check out the full listings after the jump.

Explaining the Gender Gap On Gun Control

Elahe Izadi | April 12, 2013

Most women support strengthening gun laws, compared with fewer than half of men.

The O'Malley Factor

Ronald Brownstein | April 11, 2013

Can Gov. Martin O'Malley ride his Maryland success to the White House?

What Drones Can Do for You

Sara Sorcher | April 11, 2013

Prescription drugs, fast-food delivery, disaster relief—unmanned aerial vehicles can be handy in all sorts of ways.

It's Easy to Fix Social Security

Nancy Cook | April 11, 2013

Unlike Medicare and Medicaid, it's simple arithmetic. If only the politics added up.

Obama's Mixed Message on Austerity

Michael Hirsh | April 11, 2013

His Treasury secretary lectures Europe on the perils of thriftiness while his own budget agenda is driven by cuts.

Obama's Budget Garners Anger From All Sides

Nancy Cook | April 11, 2013

Roughly 24 hours after the White House released its budget, liberal Democrats were furious about its so-called chained CPI provision, which would change the cost-of-living calculation for federal benefits like Social Security. Meanwhile, Republicans were criticizing President Obama's fiscal 2014 blueprint for not going far enough on its tweaks to Medicare and other cuts.

A New Budget for a New Party

Ronald Brownstein | April 11, 2013

Obama's fiscal proposal aligns him with the politics of minority, millennial, and college-educated voters.

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.

The House Member Who Can Change the Internet

Brian Fung | April 11, 2013

Often overlooked on tech issues, Rep. Bob Goodlatte has a quiet approach that masks his power.

To Beat Terry McAuliffe, Virginia GOP Turns to Anti-Romney Playbook

Beth Reinhard | April 11, 2013

The Democratic nominee once made an outlandish claim that would make Mitt cringe.

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.

Is the GOP Preparing to Attack Dems on Social Security?

Alex Roarty | April 10, 2013

Are Republicans preparing to cudgel Democrats with, of all things, Social Security? That was the explicit impression left by Greg Walden, chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, during a Wednesday interview on CNN. The Oregon congressman said President Obama's budget – which...

Surprise! Fed Releases Minutes Early

Catherine Hollander | April 10, 2013

The government closely guards potentially market-moving data until its release time. So it was a surprise Wednesday morning when the Federal Reserve announced that it had inadvertently transmitted the minutes from its latest policy-setting meeting to a distribution list on Tuesday, nearly 24 hours ahead of schedule.

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.

The Real Budget Action Won't Come Until Tonight's Dinner With the GOP

Nancy Cook | April 10, 2013

Contrary to popular belief, the real budget action on Wednesday won’t begin until the early evening, when 12 Republican senators are scheduled to arrive at the White House for a private dinner with the president.

It's Debt-Ceiling Madness Again. Why You Should Stay Calm (Sort Of)

Catherine Hollander | April 10, 2013

Fighting over the debt ceiling? Been there, done that, got the T-shirt.

Beware Obama's Budget Predictions: Many Forecasts Are Wrong

Niraj Chokshi | April 10, 2013

CBO forecasts are bound by current law, not future policies, while White House forecasts reflect a president's hopes. Both have been wildly amiss.

Is Obama’s Budget Gamble Thawing the GOP?

Stacy Kaper | April 9, 2013

President Obama’s decision to include in his budget proposal cuts to Social Security and Medicare—two entitlement programs central to the Democratic base—has set off a fierce debate in Washington about whether the White House strategy will prove to be shrewd or a giant mistake.

Natural-Gas Exports Dominate Moniz Confirmation Hearing

Amy Harder | April 9, 2013

Tuesday’s confirmation hearing for President Obama’s nominee to be Energy secretary, Ernest Moniz, was dominated by the energy industry’s topic du jour: natural-gas exports.

The New Orleans Restaurant That Offers a Life-Changing Experience

Adam B. Kushner | April 8, 2013

Café Reconcile brings at-risk teens into the workforce—and serves the best red jambalaya in town.

What to Expect in Obama’s Budget

Nancy Cook | April 8, 2013

Apart from the president’s plan to formalize cuts that he has already proposed, what else can Americans expect from a budget that’s roughly two months late and that follows both parties’ congressional budget proposals?

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.

Fights Over Fed Likely to Continue if Yellen Becomes Next Chairman

Catherine Hollander | April 8, 2013

First, however, she would have to be confirmed—and the vote could be one of the closest ever.

What's Next for Immigration Reform

Rebecca Kaplan | April 7, 2013

With Congress back in session, House and Senate working groups will be putting finishing touches on their immigration plans. But there are many issues still outstanding.

Obama Budget Vs. March Jobs Report: Timing is No Coincidence

Jill Lawrence | April 5, 2013

The budget proposal provides stiff competition to the bad news on employment and could turn out to be far more significant to the fate of the nation than the March jobs report.

Breaking Down the Weak March Jobs Report

Ritchie King and Quartz | April 5, 2013

The US economy added 88,000 jobs in March, falling well short of expectations, while the unemployment rate dropped to 7.6%. Here’s the breakdown of employment status for all Americans age 16 and above:

What That Lousy Jobs Report Means for a Spring Slump

Catherine Hollander | April 5, 2013

A disappointing jobs report this morning is sure to renew talk of a so-called spring slump.

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.

Why Washington and Moscow Still Don't Trust Each Other

Olga Belogolova | April 4, 2013

I left the USSR in 1991. Going back showed that Cold War stereotypes don’t fade—even with time.

When Corporations Are Hacked, Who Should Know?

Brian Fung | April 4, 2013

Companies hurt themselves—but help the rest of us—when they disclose cyberattacks.

Who Is Janet Yellen, Bernanke's Likely Successor?

Catherine Hollander | April 4, 2013

The Fed vice chairwoman has a long history with the central bank and is one of the most dovish members of the Federal Open Market Committee.

Mary Schapiro and Lanny Breuer Give Us the Ultimate Dog-Bites-Man Story

Michael Hirsh | April 3, 2013

They failed to prosecute a single Wall Streeter over the 2008 disaster. Now it's home to mama.

Why Stephen Colbert’s Sister Could Beat Mark Sanford

Josh Kraushaar | April 3, 2013

Scandal-plagued candidates have a lousy track record at winning elections.

Sequestration Hurting Your Budget? It Didn't Stop a 13-Day Overseas Congressional Trip

Billy House | April 2, 2013

Roughly 16 Senate Finance Committee staffers are wrapping up a whirlwind 13-day trip to Vietnam, Australia, and New Zealand, even as federal agencies have been forced by sequestration to limit employee travel and participation in out-of-town conferences.

1960s ‘Money-Market Men’ Design Their Dream Fed Chairman

Catherine Hollander | April 2, 2013

With Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s term set to expire in January, the handicapping of the race to replace him has begun.

Why the Euro is Doomed

Matthew OBrien - The Atlantic | April 1, 2013

It's the gold standard minus the shiny rocks.

3 Ways Work Visas Could Still Blow Up the Immigration Bill

Fawn Johnson | April 1, 2013

"Future Flow" has always lurked as the ogre that might not be tamed.

Sequester Slashes Help for Long-Term Unemployed

Nancy Cook | March 31, 2013

The across-the-board cuts are about to reduce the payout of federal emergency unemployment checks by as much as 10.7 percent.

Previewing the Sunday Shows

Steven Shepard | March 29, 2013

The Easter Sunday lineups at the weekend public-affairs programs will add a dash of religion to the usual political fare. One political highlight: Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., will talk about immigration and guns on CNN's "State of the Union." Univision's "Al Punto" will feature President Obama in a pre-recorded interview, also addressing his immigration-reform efforts. Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, will appear on two of the Sunday shows, while Washington's archbishop, Cardinal Donald Wuerl, will visit with "Fox News Sunday."

Could Chuck Schumer Be Well-Set to Chair Senate Banking Committee?

Shane Goldmacher and Stacy Kaper | March 28, 2013

The departure of Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson after 2014 could set off a future chain of musical chairmanships. One of the leading contenders for the influential post is the chamber’s No. 3-ranking Democrat, Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York. Could the "senator from Wall Street" become the "chairman from Wall Street?"

There’s Nothing to Fear But the Debt Itself

Niraj Chokshi | March 28, 2013

Quick, which segment of federal spending will grow fastest from 2015 through 2021? Did you guess Medicare? If you did, you’d be wrong.

Why Waiting on the States Could Create a Messy Future for Same-Sex Marriage

Ronald Brownstein | March 27, 2013

In two big cases this week, the justices were hesitant to impose a national standard on gay marriage. But history shows that leaving the issue to the states could leave a long-lasting patchwork.

Cyprus's Steps to Stop Bank Runs Are Risky, but the Eurozone Is Likely to Survive Them

Catherine Hollander | March 27, 2013

On Wednesday, Cyprus will announce the eurozone’s first-ever capital controls.

Big Labor and Big Business Have One Big Issue: Immigration Reform

Fawn Johnson | March 26, 2013

It's a sign of the times: Immigration reform is now the number one issue for both the AFL-CIO and the Business Roundtable.

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.

Parents' Lack of Work Affects 1 in 6 U.S. Children, Study Finds

Jody Brannon | March 26, 2013

More than 1 in 6 U.S. children have a parent who is unemployed or underemployed, putting them at risk of suffering from hunger, performing poorly in school, and facing family violence.

Why the Fight Over Work Visas Won't Doom the Immigration Bill

Fawn Johnson | March 25, 2013

Make no mistake. The immigration bill being crafted by the “Gang of Eight” senators will include foreign work visas despite warnings from both business and labor that their talks over the issue have broken down.

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.

Why Fewer Americans Will Buy Pizza Tonight

Jody Brannon | March 22, 2013

Three charts help to explain why people are likely to continue to be extra cautious when it comes to disposable income.

How Cyprus, A Two-Bit Country, Could Change the World

Michael Hirsh | March 22, 2013

Tiny Cyprus poses an existential threat to the eurozone, proof that little countries can occasionally have big consequences.

What Could Happen If Cyprus Fails

Simone Foxman and Quartz | March 22, 2013

Things are looking increasingly dicey for the Mediterranean nation. Here's what could happen if the country fails.

What San Antonio Has to Teach Washington

Sophie Quinton | March 21, 2013

The city is trying a small-scale version of Obama's pre-K plan. If politicians want to send more 4-year-olds to school, they should pay attention.

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.

The One Word You Can't Say in Washington

Niraj Chokshi | March 21, 2013

Democrats agree on the need for stimulus. Just don't call it that.

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.

The GOP Disconnect on Economic Policy

Nancy Cook | March 20, 2013

The RNC may want to send a few extra copies of the election postmortem to Capitol Hill. Judging by the budget blueprints put forth by congressional Republicans, they didn’t get the memo.

What You Need to Know about Ben Bernanke's Evolving Views on Asset Bubbles

Catherine Hollander | March 20, 2013

Ben Bernanke isn’t seeing hints of irrational exuberance in the stock market.

DSCC Outraises NRSC 2-to-1

Alex Roarty | March 20, 2013

The National Republican Senatorial Committee raised nearly $2.2 million in February, according to numbers provided by the political committee, figures that will likely do little to quiet concern the group is struggling to raise money in the early going of the 2014 cycle. It was the second consecuti...

Fed Cautious About Economic Growth

Catherine Hollander | March 20, 2013

The Federal Reserve slightly downgraded on Wednesday its forecasts for growth in 2013. It now expects gross domestic product to rise between 2.3 percent and 2.8 percent, just a hair less than the 2.3 percent to 3.0 percent it expected in December.

DCCC Expands Its Voter-Outreach Efforts

Alex Roarty | March 19, 2013

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee rounded out its leadership team Wednesday, announcing a plethora of lawmakers to head outreach efforts to different voter groups.

Three Big Questions for Bernanke at Wednesday's Fed Press Conference, Plus One More

Catherine Hollander | March 19, 2013

No changes in monetary policies are expected to be announced, but the Fed chairman's news conference could give insight into what lies ahead.

Ireland's Deputy PM: 'You Cannot Get an Economy to Recover Just by Doing Austerity Measures or Budget Discipline.'

Catherine Hollander | March 19, 2013

A Q&A with Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister Eamon Gilmore.

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.

National Security Insiders: Obama Can't Bring Israelis and Palestinians to Negotiating Table

Sara Sorcher | March 18, 2013

President Obama is headed to the Holy Land this week, but 72 percent of National Journal's National Security Insiders are not optimistic he can bring Israelis and Palestinians to the negotiating table anytime soon.

Berman Joins Covington; Ambassador Returns

Mike Magner | March 18, 2013

Four new members have been appointed to the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, which provides grants to projects that increase public access to historical records.

Perez in 3 Charts: Labor Nominee's Key Challenge and Role in Obama Cabinet

Jody Brannon | March 18, 2013

If Thomas Perez is confirmed as Labor secretary, he’ll bring to two the number of people of color in President Obama’s Cabinet. But his real challenge will be the national employment rate.

How the Cyprus Tempest Could Pose a Threat to the U.S. Economy

Catherine Hollander | March 18, 2013

The situation there serves as a reminder that a dark cloud still looms over the U.S. recovery in the form of the eurozone crisis.

What You Need to Know About Obama's Labor Secretary Pick, Thomas Perez

Matt Vasilogambros | March 18, 2013

President Obama will nominate Thomas Perez, the assistant attorney general for civil rights, as the next Labor secretary, according to a White House official. Here is what you need to know about Perez.

What You Need to Know About Obama's Labor Secretary Pick, Thomas Perez

Matt Vasilogambros | March 18, 2013

Obama has chosen Thomas Perez as the next Labor secretary. Here's what you need to know about him.

Nondefense Slice of Domestic Spending on Track to Hit 50-Year Low

Niraj Chokshi | March 15, 2013

Both the Senate Democratic and House Republican budgets project funding for things like welfare programs and government operations will reach a 50-year low as a share of economic activity.

The Next Arab Challenge

Michael Hirsh | March 14, 2013

Two years after the Middle East revolts, the Obama administration has mounted no real effort to understand the dynamics of political Islam.

There's New Hope for a Grand Bargain

Nancy Cook | March 14, 2013

Amid the hot air in Washington comes the whiff of compromise.

The Rightward March of the Republicans

Ronald Brownstein | March 14, 2013

Republicans in Congress were supposed to moderate their message. It's not happening.

Can a Pathetic Congress Really Pass Tax Reform?

Matthew Cooper | March 14, 2013

Despite all odds, some members of Congress still believe. NJ chats with one.

House Republican Pessimistic That Immigration Reform Will Pass

Rebecca Kaplan | March 14, 2013

Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Idaho, sounded a downright pessimistic note on the prospects of comprehensive immigration reform during a panel on the subject at the Conservative Political Action Conference.

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...

Play of the Day: International Leader Edition

Ross Gianfortune and Government Executive | March 14, 2013

What do Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, Pope Francis and Hugo Chávez have in common? Of course, they are all former or current leaders of sovereign states and they were all major players in jokes on last night's late-night shows. The man formerly known as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio took center stage on most of the shows, with Conan O’Brien and Craig Ferguson using the South American angle to comment on race in the United States. On NBC, Jimmy Fallon explained how armies work in regards to North Korea’s recent war talk and Jay Leno had to explain Venezuelan socialism to his crowd.

In New Budget, Senate Democrats Offer Alternative Political Vision

Nancy Cook | March 13, 2013

For the first time since 2009, Senate Democrats on Wednesday introduced a budget resolution, which promised to stabilize the debt over the next decade and raise new revenue and cut spending in equal parts.

Former Top Economic Officials Fret About Asset Bubbles

Catherine Hollander | March 13, 2013

A number of them worry about potential long-term consequences of the Fed's easy-money policies.

America's 3 Biggest Cybersecurity Vunerabilities

Matt Vasilogambros | March 13, 2013

The Obama administration has put cyberattacks at the top of the list of global threats, and concerns are rising about at-risk infrastructure.

The Washington Women Who Leaned In When Sheryl Sandberg Didn't

Michael Hirsh | March 12, 2013

They may not get the publicity, but these women have been ahead of Sandberg in leaning in against the most chauvinistic industry in America: Wall Street.

Paul Ryan Misses the Mark on Fed Policy in Budget Blueprint

Catherine Hollander | March 12, 2013

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan mischaracterized the relationship between the Federal Reserve and the Obama administration in his discussion of monetary policy in the budget blueprint he released Tuesday.

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.

An Ingenious Business Model: Speak Spanish and Serve Immigrants

Sophie Quinton | March 12, 2013

For one North Carolina credit union, courting Latino immigrant members is a risk that pays off.

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.

Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Reported Pick for Labor Secretary

Charles S. Clark and Government Executive | March 11, 2013

President Obama is set to name Thomas Perez, a civil rights official at the Justice Department, as his new Labor secretary, according to weekend news reports.

Opinion: Immigration Reform Faces Hurdles, but Steadily Moves Forward

Tyler Reny | March 11, 2013

The debate over immigration reform may have been overshadowed by coverage of the sequester and Washington dysfunction, but the issue has hardly disappeared. In fact, the immigration reform bill is marching steadily forward.

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.

Previewing the Sunday Shows

Christopher Peleo-Lazar | March 8, 2013

Sen. Rand Paul's, R-Ky., 13-hour filibuster is sure to be a hot topic on the Sunday shows this weekend, though Paul himself does not currently appear in the lineup for any of the programs. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, meanwhile, will be on six Sunday shows, pulling off a bilingual "Full Ginsburg." He'll be on "Meet the Press," "Face the Nation," "Fox News Sunday," "This Week," "State of the Union" and Univision's "Al Punto." Bush will talk about his new book, as well as the challenges surrounding immigration and, of course, his potential presidential aspirations. Check out the full listings after the jump.

It’s Obama’s Economy—at Last

Michael Hirsh | March 8, 2013

We only seem to be back. It’s a far less equal economy—and big dangers loom for the president’s legacy.

Citizenship Isn't Always Foremost What Undocumented Workers Want

Fawn Johnson | March 8, 2013

They just want to do their jobs, cash their paychecks, and be left alone. Here's a view of the immigration debate from the kitchen of your favorite restaurant.

Job Outlook Improves for All Races, Except Blacks

Doris Nhan | March 8, 2013

African-American workers are the only racial group whose jobless numbers did not improve last month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which released a month-over-month jobs report Friday.

Lower Your Expectations or Raise Your Budget: 1 Professor's Take on the Slow Pace of Hiring

Sophie Quinton | March 8, 2013

February's robust employment report might come as a surprise to Americans who, after searching for months, can't seem to find work. Although hiring is picking up, more than 40 percent of unemployed Americans have been out of work for 27 weeks or more.

Jobs Market Is Improving, But the Long-Term Unemployed Still Can't Catch a Break

Niraj Chokshi and Catherine Hollander | March 8, 2013

The good news? The nation is adding jobs. The bad news? Those who have been out of work the longest still can't seem to get them.

What Undocumented Workers Really Want

Fawn Johnson | March 7, 2013

It's not always citizenship. They just want to do their jobs, cash their paychecks, and be left alone. A view of the immigration debate from the kitchen of your favorite restaurant.

Outsourcing the Fight Against Terrorism

James Kitfield | March 7, 2013

The United States is using local soldiers to fight al-Qaida allies in East Africa.

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.

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.

Anna Galland, 33, Leads MoveOn.org From Michigan

Christopher Snow Hopkins | March 7, 2013

Anna Galland, the new executive director of MoveOn.org, likes to keep her feet firmly planted outside the Beltway.

How Colleges Are Making Income Inequality Worse

Ronald Brownstein | March 7, 2013

Higher education is supposed to reduce class division, but it turns out it doesn't.

The Economy Is Sluggish and Weighed Down by Washington's Gridlock. So Why Are Stocks Soaring?

Catherine Hollander | March 6, 2013

Wall Street is ebullient even as Main Street frets over its future. Here are some reasons for the surge in equity prices and some caveats about the gains.

Ways San Antonio Is Adapting to the New U.S. Economy

Jody Brannon and Doris Nhan | March 6, 2013

National Journal’s Next Economy project asks a key question: How are Americans adapting to the new economy? Examined within the prism of diversifying America, the question has equally important relevance.

What's Behind the Endless Delays on New Rules for Wall Street?

Catherine Hollander | March 6, 2013

Just over one-third of the roughly 400 required rule-makings under the Dodd-Frank financial-reform law have been finalized. Why the holdup?

America's $1.6 Billion Trade Surplus With China (Yes, China)

Todd Woody and Quartz | March 6, 2013

For those who fret over the US trade deficits and that China’s dominance of the solar industry, here’s some good news: The US is in the black with a massive $1.6 billion green technology trade surplus with China.

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 Stock Market Is Back! The American People...Not So Much.

Matt Phillips and Quartz | March 5, 2013

Since the bleakest hours of early 2009, the stock market has clawed, scampered and inched higher—with some notable slips. Now that venerable equity market metric—the Dow Jones Industrial Average—has summited 14,164.53, its all-time highest close last seen way back on Oct. 9, 2007.

Republicans Take Aim at Obama’s EPA Nominee

Coral Davenport | March 4, 2013

President Obama’s nomination Monday of Gina McCarthy to lead the Environmental Protection Agency sets up the next high-profile clash between the White House and congressional Republicans over the incendiary issue of climate change.

How Do 20-Somethings Who Aren't Characters on 'Girls' Get Work Experience?

Sophie Quinton | March 4, 2013

Working-class Americans don't have the luxury of taking unpaid internships to acquire skills and experience. That's where Year Up comes in.

Opinion: Immigrants Did Not Take Your Job

Alex Nowrasteh | March 4, 2013

Writes Alex Nowrasteh of the Cato Institute: It's time conservatives embrace a reform measure, for political and economic reasons.

How Did These Kids Score Good Jobs Right Out of High School?

Sophie Quinton | February 28, 2013

Frank Pena doesn’t have much time to chat, because he’s repairing a jet engine. The 24-year-old technician at Lockheed Martin is a big guy, but even he looks tiny compared with some of the engines—from the Air Force’s C-5 to the commercial 727—arrayed in the factory. Pena is here, and not flipping burgers at McDonalds, because of a decision he made when he was a sophomore in high school. He enrolled in the Alamo Area Aerospace Academy.

Former Iran Hostages Are Still Seeking Justice

Jill Lawrence | February 28, 2013

'Argo' won the Oscar. But the 52 Americans held captive for another 14 months didn't get their feel-good ending.

Don't Laugh at Italy's Elections

Matthew Cooper | February 26, 2013

Italy is dealing with austerity – with less whining than we are.

It's Been Almost 3 Years Since the Senate Passed a Major New Law

Molly Ball - The Atlantic | February 20, 2013

If you're wondering whether President Obama's ambitious second-term agenda has a chance to make it through Congress, that might be worth keeping in mind.

A Look at Homicide Statistics in Obama’s Hometown of Chicago in 3 Charts

Matt Vasilogambros | February 15, 2013

President Obama traveled back on Friday to Chicago, his hometown and a city where gun violence and a jump in the number of homicides has received national attention. In 2012, there were 506 homicides in the Windy City, a sharp rise from the 435 recorded in 2011. Chicago has a population that is only about a third the size of New York City, yet the number of homicides there is fast approaching that of the Big Apple.

NJ Topics Economy