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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.

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.

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.

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?

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 Stephen Colbert’s Sister Could Beat Mark Sanford

Josh Kraushaar | April 3, 2013

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

What Unites Obama's Coalition — and What Could Divide It

Ronald Brownstein | February 21, 2013

One conclusion that jumps from the Pew Research Center/USA Today national survey released Thursday is that the coalition that reelected President Obama last fall remains in step behind him — and is largely unified behind the key elements of his increasingly aggressive second-term agenda. But the poll also suggests that failure to generate more-rapid economic recovery could nonetheless strain the powerful coalition Obama has assembled.

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.

Who Is Mitch McConnell's Mystery Tea-Party Rival?

Michael Catalini | February 20, 2013

It was only weeks ago when tea-party hero Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky said he wasn't aware of any challenge from the right to his senior colleague, Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.

Here Comes the Budget Pain

Chris Frates | February 19, 2013

This post also ran on The Edge, National Journal's daily look at today in Washington -- and what's coming next. The email features analysis from NJ's top correspondents, insights on the biggest stories of the day -- and always a few surprises. Subscribe here.

Are 65 Percent of Employers Really Struggling to Find Workers?

Jody Brannon | February 15, 2013

America’s small businesses claim they can’t find employees, an economic poll says, but amid the 65 percent of prospective employers who claim to encounter workforce shortages are three disturbing factors.

Why Walmart Moms Are Skeptical About Obama's Agenda

Michael Catalini | February 15, 2013

Sorry, Washington, the Walmart moms aren't buying what you're selling.

The Democrats' War to Win Women Voters

Beth Reinhard | February 15, 2013

Lilly Ledbetter, move over. Democrats have a new tool to win over women voters.

The Valerie Jarrett Moment

Jim O’Sullivan | February 14, 2013

As other inner-circle players move on, this longtime friend of the Obamas is poised to gain even more influence in the White House.

A Short History of the Minimum Wage Fight

Matthew Cooper | February 14, 2013

The country had had enough. In 1936, after the Supreme Court had struck down President Roosevelt’s attempt at a federal minimum wage, the country was livid. For years, the Court had been striking down minimum wage laws.

Is the Minimum Wage a Job Crusher or a Job Creator?

Catherine Hollander | February 14, 2013

President Obama wants to hike the minimum wage, but wading into the economic debate is enough to make your head spin.

A Portrait of America's Minimum-Wage Workers in 1 Chart

Doris Nhan | February 14, 2013

In his State of the Union address, President Obama called for raising the minimum wage, a proposal that's been heard before and that could affect millions of people.

Grading Obama: High Marks for Style but Low Ones on Civil Liberties

Ron Fournier | February 13, 2013

The president's "College Scorecard" inspires "Obama Scorecard" and so-so State of the Union scores.

The Most Important Policies In President Obama's 2013 State of the Union Address

National Journal Staff and Nancy Cook and Coral Davenport and Brian Fung and Catherine Hollander and Fawn Johnson and Margot Sanger-Katz and Sara Sorcher and and Matt Vasilogam | February 12, 2013

Everything you need to know from 2013's State of the Union address, from health care and the budget to immigration and guns.

Nothing Big or Bold About Obama's State of the Union Address

Ron Fournier | February 12, 2013

For all his swagger and political capital, the president subtly acknowledged the limits of what he can accomplish--even while promising in his State of the Union address to create “a rising, thriving middle class.”

5 Things Obama Tried to Say During His State of the Union Address -- But Didn't

Matthew Cooper | February 12, 2013

Some words missing from tonight's State of the Union address: Iraq. Famine. Sudan. Moon. Mars. Assault rifles. Keystone XL. Videogames. Clinton. Fracking.

Full Text: President Obama's 2013 State of the Union Speech

National Journal Staff | February 12, 2013

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, fellow citizens:

Live Blogging the State of the Union Address

Niraj Chokshi and Brian Fung | February 12, 2013

10:40.Florida Senator Marco Rubio takes a break from delivering the Republican response to take a drink of water… 10:38. Rubio said that the economy shrank during the last three months of 2012. And, according to the government’s first read, it did. But first reads are almost always revised, a...

Obama and Rubio Agree on 1 Thing: Jobs Are the Key in State of the Union

Niraj Chokshi | February 12, 2013

The Cliff Notes to the State of the Union speech are out: It’s going to be about jobs.

A Look at Who's Sitting With the First Lady Tonight

Matt Vasilogambros | February 12, 2013

Here's Michelle Obama’s guest list for the State of the Union, broken down by the issues the attendees represent.

Who Will Get the Coveted Seats in Michelle Obama's Box at the State of the Union?

Matt Vasilogambros | February 7, 2013

National Journal is asking for your help in guessing which guests will be invited to sit in the first lady's box for President Obama's State of the Union speech.

4 Takeaways From a Week of Mixed Economic Data

Catherine Hollander and Niraj Chokshi contributed | February 1, 2013

Three numbers will get the most attention here in the Beltway: Jobs, growth and confidence. The latter two delivered a resounding 'meh' this week. It was a reminder to Washington that the fledgling recovery is far from out of the woods.

Health Care: Great for the Economy Today, Terrible Later

Margot Sanger-Katz | January 31, 2013

Hospitals like Pittsburgh’s UPMC created enough jobs to end the recession. If they keep it up, they’ll wreck the economy.

Russian Adoption Ban Is Personal for Some U.S. Lawmakers

Olga Belogolova | January 29, 2013

As a mother of two adopted children and the wife of a man adopted from overseas, Sen. Mary Landrieu knows a thing or two about adoption.

The Case for Jennifer Granholm as Labor Secretary

Jill Lawrence | January 24, 2013

Granholm has the stature and the media savvy to put income inequality at the center of the national debate.

Cowboys Fan Christie Counts Hall-of-Fame QB Among Donors

Kevin Brennan | January 22, 2013

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is making a habit of winning over his childhood idols. First, Bruce Springsteen heaped praise on the governor in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. And last month, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach donated $3,800 to Christie's reelection bid. Despite his...

Is Obama Trying to Destroy the GOP?

Jill Lawrence | January 21, 2013

The president pokes at the GOP and asks citizens to put the pressure on. Is he trying to destroy the opposition party?

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.

Talkin' About Revolution: 6 Reasons Why the Two-Party System May Become Obsolete

Ron Fournier | January 14, 2013

"No Labels" is a symptom of public's hunger for change, if not the final solution.

Citi Hires Tax Lobbyist

Stacy Kaper | January 9, 2013

Bill Rys has joined Citi's lobbying shop to help build Citi’s tax and revenue advocacy in Washington.

What to Expect From the Global Economy in 2013

A. Michael Spence, Robert Kahn, Mark Thoma, Yukon Huang, Mark Zandi, Council on Foreign Relations | December 28, 2012

Economic experts take a look at the prospects for the global economy in 2013.

What Happens If We Go Over the Fiscal Cliff?

Naureen Khan | December 27, 2012

National Journal has a refresher course on exactly what going over the cliff would mean over the next year and in the long term.

5 Ways This Obama Inauguration Will Be Different

Sophie Quinton | December 25, 2012

President Obama’s inauguration as the first African-American president drew 1.8 million people to the National Mall—some of whom flew across the country and the world to be in D.C. for Obama’s big day. Here are five ways this inauguration will be different.

Religion: U.S. Demographic Snapshot

Next America Staff | July 19, 2012

The 10 facts to know about religion and faith in the U.S.

Same-Sex Parents: U.S. Demographic Snapshot

Doris Nhan | June 18, 2012

As states begin to contend with their support of--or opposition to--same-sex marriage, the debate over the legitimacy of same-sex couples raising children also comes into the spotlight. LGBT parents are raising nearly 2 million children, according to a joint report authored by the Movement Advancement Project, the Family Equality Council, and the Center for American Progress. Here are some of the report's other findings.

Over 65: A Demographic Snapshot

Stephanie Czekalinski | June 12, 2012

American society is getting older. Here’s a 2010 statistical snapshot of the growing segment of the population aged 65 and over.

Poverty: U.S. Demographic Snapshot

Stephanie Czekalinski | June 7, 2012

The poverty rate jumped from 14.3 percent in 2009 to 15.1 percent, a year later. What follows is a snapshot of American poverty, according to the U.S. Census.

Income: U.S. Demographic Snapshot

Stephanie Czekalinski | June 5, 2012

The recession has taken a bite out of our paychecks, according to census data. What follows is a snapshot of how our salaries have faired since the Great Recession began about four years ago.

The 1 Percent Solution

Jim Tankersley | May 17, 2012

Like a lot of self-made millionaires, Nick Hanauer has a theory on how to fix the ailing economy. Except that his involves imposing higher taxes on the rich to pay for more investments for the middle class.

Too Hot for TED: Income Inequality

Jim Tankersley | May 16, 2012

If you’re plugged into the Internet, chances are you’ve seen a TED talk – the wonky, provocative web videos that have become a sort of nerd franchise. TED.com is where you go to find Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg explaining why the world has too few female leaders, or Twitter cofounder Evan Williams sharing the secret power of listening to users to drive company improvement. The slogan of the nonprofit group behind the site is “Ideas Worth Spreading.”

Blacks: U.S. Demographic Snapshot

Doris Nhan | May 16, 2012

The handy demographic snapshot on the African-American community in the United States.

Asians: U.S. Demographic Snapshot

Doris Nhan | May 9, 2012

The handy demographic snapshot on the Asian-American community in the United States.

Hot Ticket

Michelle Bloom | January 30, 2011

Each election cycle, candidates run on a platform of promises. In 2008, President Obama’s promises included political change. But were those promises realistic? Many campaign supporters find themselves disappointed in Obama’s compromises and failure to deliver on some of his promises.

NJ Topics Income And Wages

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