National Journal Topics | NationalJournal.com

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.

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

Norm Ornstein | May 22, 2013

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

How to Break the Cycle of Poverty

Sophie Quinton | May 22, 2013

This Twin Cities-based program knows what single moms need to finish college: housing and child care.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

How Goldman Sachs Can Help Save the Safety Net

Sophie Quinton | May 9, 2013

A novel idea would make private investors in charge of funding social services. Will it catch on?

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.

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.

Average Unwed Mom? See Her Characteristics

Jody Brannon | May 1, 2013

The demographics of unmarried women who have children are changing.

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.

In the Aftermath of Gun-Bill Loss in Senate, Liberals Put Incumbent Democrats on Notice

Alex Roarty | April 25, 2013

After last week’s failed gun-control vote in the Senate, in which a handful of moderate Democrats defected from their party, a coalition of progressive groups is warning those at-risk incumbents to start avoiding votes that make them look too conservative.

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.

‘Chained CPI’ Could Hit Middle-Class Retirees Hardest

Nancy Cook | April 15, 2013

Which programs are exempt from chained CPI? And do proposed protections go far enough to protect low-income people?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Why the Culture Wars Now Favor Democrats

Ronald Brownstein | April 4, 2013

Gay marriage, gun control, immigration—the wedge issues now divide Republicans.

From Lincoln to Obama, Presidents as Propagandists

Ron Fournier | April 2, 2013

President Obama is exploiting new technologies to burnish his image, but the strategy may cause mistrust.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Why the RNC's Reforms Don't Solve the GOP's Problem

Matthew Cooper | March 18, 2013

The Republican Party's base still controls the debate in Washington.

How to Shrink the Dangerous Republican Empathy Gap

Jill Lawrence | March 17, 2013

The GOP ought to pray that Rob Portman's gay-marriage conversion is more defining than CPAC. The country should, too.

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.

Paul Ryan's CPAC Speech: Too Busy to Talk 2016

Rebecca Kaplan | March 15, 2013

Mitt Romney's running mate focuses on selling the GOP's budget, not his vision for the party.

Filmmaker Lori Silverbush Tackles Nation’s Hunger Problem in ‘A Place at the Table’

Mike Magner | March 4, 2013

While she was mentoring a young girl in East Harlem, N.Y., filmmaker Lori Silverbush received a disturbing call from a teacher who said the 12-year-old was spotted foraging through the trash at school for food.

The Young and the Powerless

Ronald Brownstein | February 21, 2013

Social Security and most of Medicare are exempt from automatic spending cuts. That means the sequester falls hardest on America's youth.

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.

Top Densities of Minorities Show High Poverty Rates

Sara Johnson - The Atlantic Cities | February 20, 2013

More than one in four Dominicans lives below the poverty level in the U.S., a rate similar to that of American Indians and Alaska Natives. In some cities, however, these rates are significantly higher.

White House on Damage Control After Leak

February 19, 2013

CongressWhite HouseNational SecurityPoliticsEnergyEconomy & BudgetHealth Care TOP FIVE WHITE HOUSE ON DAMAGE CONTROL AFTER LEAK. After the draft of a White House immigration proposal was leaked to USA Today late Saturday, the administration is working to calm down the bipartisan group of law...

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.

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.

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...

Missed Opportunity? Obama May Avoid Spending-Cut Debate in Speech

Nancy Cook | February 12, 2013

When President Obama takes to the podium Tuesday night for the State of the Union, he’s expected to give scant attention to one of the most pressing issues facing Washington: the upcoming $85 billion in spending cuts.

Insiders Rate Jobs, Immigration, Deficit As Top Priorities

Michael Catalini and Naureen Khan and Peter Bell | February 9, 2013

Despite the storied paralysis in Washington, Democratic and Republican Insiders came to a rare moment of consensus this week on what priorities should top their parties' agendas this year. What two issues should be the top priorities for your party this year? Democrats (107 votes) Republicans (94 votes) Deficit reduction 21% 54% Energy 7% 7% Guns 14% 3% Immigration 64% 50% Jobs 66% 57% Tax reform 21% 24%

The Math Behind the GOP Goal of Balancing the Budget in 10 Years

Nancy Cook | February 8, 2013

The plan spearheaded by Paul Ryan could prove to be an ingenious move for his party — or a disaster.

Topping Insiders' Priority Lists: Immigration, Jobs, and Deficit Reduction

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

Plus: Political Insiders speculate on which party will be blamed if the sequester takes effect.

How Ed Koch Remade Liberalism

Matthew Cooper | February 1, 2013

The late New York mayor wasn't just a character, but a transformational figure.

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.

Impact of Immigration: 3 Points by Sociology Professor Nancy Foner

Nancy Foner and CUNY | January 31, 2013

In weighing the challenges of changing immigration laws, lawmakers should consider issues relevant to the border fence, bias, and the reality of the numbers.

Is the U.S. Government Complicit in the Killing of Over a Thousand Wild Horses?

Billy House | January 29, 2013

A bipartisan pair of lawmakers is urging Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to disclose whether as many as 1,700 federally protected wild horses now unaccounted for were sold to a middleman who illegally transported them to Mexico for slaughter.

Worried GOP? Paul Ryan Has a Plan

Rebecca Kaplan and Michael Catalini | January 26, 2013

Paul Ryan urges party unity in speech at National Review Institute summit.

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.

Honesty is Needed to Save the Great Society

Major Garrett | January 22, 2013

President Obama placed the “makers” versus “takers” debate squarely before Congress and the country. In its own way, Obama’s stout defense of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid served as the preamble to the coming clashes over the debt ceiling, the sequester, and a soon-to-expire continuing resolution funding the government. This trio of fiscal deadlines must, necessarily, concentrate legislative and political minds.

Two Democratic Polling Firms Announce Merger

Steven Shepard | January 15, 2013

Two prominent Democratic polling firms involved in President Obama's successful reelection campaign are merging: Anzalone Liszt Research and Grove Insight are combining to form Anzalone Liszt Grove Research, the firms announced in a press release Tuesday. The two firms were involved in the Obama ca...

The Human Cost of Fruits and Vegetables

Rosa Ramirez | January 14, 2013

At least one farmworker in the U.S. dies each day while picking fruits and vegetables, according to a new study.

What Would Richard Nixon Say to Today's Republican Party?

Molly Ball - The Atlantic | January 10, 2013

The disgraced former president, born 100 years ago Wednesday, was a perpetual comeback artist who's still not done being reinvented.

The Not So Golden California Poverty Figures

Rosa Ramirez | January 10, 2013

1 in 5: Ratio of California’s children living in poverty.

Childhood Poverty Threatens California’s Economic Prosperity

Rosa Ramirez | January 8, 2013

The increasing number of California's Latino youth growing up in poverty threatens the long-term economic prosperity of the state with perhaps the nation’s largest economy, a new report indicates.

Want a 300-lb. Piece of Romney Memorabilia? It's Free, But You'll Have to Haul It.

Brian Resnick | January 7, 2013

What can you do with a 300-pound steel slab, formed in the shaped of Iowa, and emblazoned with Mitt Romney's "Believe in America" memo?

Sociologist Q&A: Addressing Joblessness and Poverty Among Minorities

Rosa Ramirez | January 7, 2013

Sociologist Sandra Smith examines how urban poverty, social capital, and social networks play a role in joblessness among individuals from lower socioeconomic statuses.

Wall Street and Financial Markets Await Smoke Signals From the Hill

Nancy Cook | December 31, 2012

The New York financial world sits just a four-hour train ride from Washington, yet the distance has seemed much longer in the last few weeks as politicians have parried over the fast-approaching fiscal cliff: that noxious mix of tax hikes and spending cuts scheduled to take effect in the New Year.

Wall Street to D.C.: Get Serious About the Fiscal Cliff

Nancy Cook | December 28, 2012

The New York financial world is all about the bottom line. So it can't quite fathom a dysfunctional Washington that's all about finger-pointing.

Don't Think the Fiscal-Cliff Impasse Is Over Numbers--It's Over Politics

Nancy Cook and Rebecca Kaplan | December 20, 2012

Politics usually worms its way into any situation. It has with the fiscal-cliff negotiations, which, on paper, look deceptively close to a resolution.

Cantor Says Republicans Have House Votes to Pass Bills Tonight

Billy House | December 20, 2012

Signaling a showdown the weekend before Christmas, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor says that Republicans have the votes to pass two measures on Thursday night that would extend income tax rate cuts for most Americans and replace the looming sequester cuts to military and other programs.

How the Fiscal Cliff Battle Is Really Just a Battle of Demographics

Ronald Brownstein | December 20, 2012

Washington’s battle over the fiscal cliff is best understood as a confrontation not only between Democrats and Republicans, but also as an early skirmish in what could be a decades-long struggle for resources and influence between the Brown and the Gray.

Behind the Fiscal Cliff is a Demographic Struggle

Ronald Brownstein | December 20, 2012

Washington’s battle over the fiscal cliff is best understood as a confrontation not only between Democrats and Republicans, but also as an early skirmish in what could be a decades-long struggle for resources and influence between the Brown and the Gray.

Is Social Security Still Off-Limits?

Jim O'Sullivan | November 29, 2012

The White House wants to unparcel Social Security from the fiscal cliff and a package designed to deal with the debt.

Teaching the Grown-Ups

Fawn Johnson | November 19, 2012

Almost any policy conversation about the job creation and unemployment contains a persistent undercurrent about adult education. It usually surfaces in the context of the "skills gap." People want jobs, but they don't have the skills to get the ones that are available.

NJ Topics Poverty

Follow National Journal