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The Tax Man Cometh—For Your Bitcoins

Brian Fung | June 18, 2013

Nobody knows how much tax revenue is lost to virtual-currency transactions—not even the IRS. But when has that stopped anybody?

For Billionaire Ron Perelman, Cantor’s Wife Is Just Latest Board Pick From Political World

Shane Goldmacher | June 17, 2013

The financial and major donor has a long history of putting the politically connected on his payroll.

Images From America's Two Pastimes–Baseball and Politics

June 8, 2013

Top New Jersey Republicans Passing on Special Election

Kevin Brennan | June 6, 2013

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's choice to succeed the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg, state Attorney General and longtime Christie aide Jeffrey Chiesa, won't run in the special election later this year. But he's not alone: Most of the names listed over the past few days as top potential GOP candidates...

Play of the Day: Great Moments in Dance-Related Government Scandals

Ross Gianfortune and Government Executive | June 5, 2013

Fast forward to 3:15 to see Letterman's archive of dance-related government videos.

Why Anthony Weiner Shouldn't Bank on Forgiveness in the New York Mayoral Race

Jill Lawrence | May 24, 2013

Redemption narratives appeal to evangelical voters, as Mark Sanford demonstrated in South Carolina. But there aren't many voters like that in New York City.

State of Play: Where the IRS Case Stands After 3 Hearings

Shane Goldmacher | May 22, 2013

Three IRS hearings are in the books. Two senior IRS officials are on their way out. And one key witness has invoked the Fifth Amendment. Here are the story lines to follow next.

Wait About Two Months, Then Check the President's Approval Rating

Michael Catalini | May 22, 2013

President Obama's approval rating in several recently released polls suggests that the three controversies his administration is navigating have not begun to sting him.

The 5 Most Unconventional Proposals from Anthony Weiner's Mayoral Platform

Elahe Izadi | May 22, 2013

From e-books to Question Time, Anthony Weiner has some outside-the-box ideas in his mayoral platform.

As Weiner Launches Mayoral Campaign, Poll Still Shows Him in 2nd Place

Steven Shepard | May 22, 2013

Disgraced former Rep. Anthony Weiner formally unveiled his campaign to become New York City's mayor late on Tuesday, and just a few hours later, a new Quinnipiac University poll shows Weiner remains in second place in September's Democratic primary following his six-week trial balloon. With Christi...

Top IRS Official to Invoke Fifth, Issa Subpoenas

Shane Goldmacher | May 21, 2013

Lois Lerner, the IRS official who headed the tax-exempt division when the targeting of tea-party groups took place, plans to invoke her Fifth Amendment right to refuse to answer questions before Congress on Wednesday.

Coburn: ‘Legitimate’ Role for FEMA in Response to Oklahoma Tornadoes

Mark Micheli and Government Executive | May 21, 2013

Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., said Tuesday that “there’s a legitimate role” for the federal government in the response to the tornadoes near Oklahoma City that have devastated the town of Moore, where at least 24 people have died.

IRS Scandal: The 8 Names to Know This Week

Shane Goldmacher | May 20, 2013

The controversy surrounding the IRS’s targeting of tea-party groups will consume Capitol Hill for a second straight week. These are the key names to know to keep up with the fast-moving scandal, with hearings set Tuesday in the Senate and Wednesday in the House.

Watergate: When Congress Worked

Matthew Cooper | May 16, 2013

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

How the Scandals Turned Obama Into a Dour Scold

George E. Condon Jr. | May 16, 2013

The Benghazi and IRS affairs have robbed the president of his trademark optimism.

Congressional Republicans Are Milking the Scandals for Everything

Alex Roarty | May 16, 2013

GOP members in both chambers finally feel like they have something to hang around the president’s neck.

How the White House Scandals Could Hurt Republicans, Too

Ronald Brownstein | May 16, 2013

By enraging the base and strengthening the faction least willing to compromise with Obama, the IRS and Benghazi affairs could hurt a GOP shot at the presidency.

Eric Holder Offers Little Information, Much Ire for Republicans

Shane Goldmacher | May 15, 2013

It only took Attorney General Eric Holder a few moments to make clear he wanted no part of congressional Republicans’ plans to turn his Capitol Hill appearance into a serious grilling about the scandals of the day.

Eric Holder Calls Rep. Darrell Issa 'Unacceptable and Shameful'

Shane Goldmacher | May 15, 2013

This much is clear: Attorney General Eric Holder and Rep. Darrell Issa don't like each other.

With the IRS Scandal Ablaze, How Does that Special-Prosecutor Thing Work?

Matt Vasilogambros | May 15, 2013

While the Justice Department has started an investigation into whether the IRS broke any laws by signaling out conservative groups, administration critics will likely continue their call for a special prosecution to further investigate any criminal wrongdoing from top officials.

Play of the Day: A Bad Week for the White House

Ross Gianfortune and Government Executive | May 15, 2013

Fast forward to 3:45 to see Stewart explain how Obama learns important information.

Weiner's Spending Dwindled in Past Two Months

Steven Shepard | May 15, 2013

Anthony Weiner is still mulling whether to mount a run for mayor of New York this fall, and the former Democratic congressman's latest campaign filings do not indicate any concrete movement in that direction that haven't previously been disclosed. The filings, which cover from March 12 through this...

How Many House Committees Are Currently Probing the Obama Administration?

Chris Frates | May 14, 2013

A look at which House committees have inquiries into Obama Administration issues

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

George E. Condon Jr. | May 11, 2013

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

One of the More Probable Ideas on ABC's 'Scandal': Politically Surviving a Sex Scandal

Elahe Izadi | May 10, 2013

When political realities are stranger than fictional television.

Hillary Clinton's Allies Come to Her Rescue Over Benghazi

Michael Catalini | May 10, 2013

Paul Begala says Republican critics are wearing 'tin foil hats'. Ann Lewis blames the right-wing. Welcome to the 1990s.

Benghazi: Incompetence, But No Cover-up

Michael Hirsh | May 8, 2013

The hearings deepen the tragedy, but not the scandal.

Mark Sanford's Sex Scandal Survival Guide

Beth Reinhard | May 7, 2013

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

With a Special Election Win, Mark Sanford Completes His Comeback

Alex Roarty | May 7, 2013

Overcoming the disgrace of a bizarre extramarital affair while he was governor of South Carolina, former Rep. Mark Sanford reclaimed a seat in Congress on Tuesday by winning a special election over Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch.

Obama to Host Dinner for Top House Democrats

Shane Goldmacher | May 7, 2013

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Life in Politics Can Be Comic

Cory Bennett | May 6, 2013

While tens of thousands of people make a living in politics, Darren Davis seems to have discovered a niche in political comics.

What to Expect at Wednesday’s Benghazi Hearing

Elahe Izadi | May 6, 2013

The White House's accounting of what transpired in Libya is expected to be contradicted by three self-described whistle-blowers.

What To Watch For in Tonight's South Carolina District 1 Special Election

Josh Kraushaar and Joey Carolino | May 5, 2013

On Tuesday, voters in South Carolina’s 1st District will be heading to the polls in a special election to fill the vacant seat once held by now-Sen. Tim Scott. The race, between former GOP Gov. Mark Sanford and Elizabeth Colbert Busch, best known as comedian Stephen Colbert’s sister, is neck-and-neck. The Cook Political Report rates the race as a toss-up. Here’s what to watch for.

Elizabeth Colbert Busch to Mark Sanford: 'You Didn't Tell the Truth'

Beth Reinhard | April 29, 2013

Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch was no pushover in her first-ever political debate, leaving Republican Mark Sanford’s personal baggage to weigh him down just eight days before the May 7 special election.

'Press Pass' Wins Political Pursuit

Sarah Mimms and Dan Roem | April 25, 2013

After five rounds of intense trivia, jokes and a few beer breaks, the Press Pass team claimed victory at our Fifth Annual Political Pursuit event. Roll Call's Shira Toeplitz, Washington Post's Chris Cillizza, New York Times' Carl Hulse, Washington Post's Paul Kane and Cook Political Report's Amy Wa...

Another NYC Mayoral Poll Shows Weiner in Second Place

Steven Shepard | April 19, 2013

A second poll this week confirms that disgraced former Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., would start this September's Democratic primary for New York City mayor in second place, but Weiner would begin the race with higher negatives than his potential opponents. The new Quinnipiac University poll shows C...

How Mark Sanford's Campaign Unraveled in the Past 48 Hours

Elahe Izadi | April 18, 2013

The former South Carolina governor's messy divorce is leading to his political downfall yet again.

Letter Addressed to White House Tests Positive for Ricin

Billy House | April 17, 2013

Law enforcement authorities said Wednesday morning that they have intercepted a second letter containing a substance testing positive for the poison ricin – this one addressed to the White House.

Poll: Weiner Would Start Mayoral Race in Second Place

Steven Shepard | April 16, 2013

Disgraced former Rep. Anthony Weiner is asking for "a second chance," and a new poll released late Tuesday night shows Weiner in second place among New York City Democratic voters in this September's primary. The poll, conducted for WNBC-TV by the Poughkeepsie-based Marist College Institute for Pub...

Inside Elizabeth Colbert Busch's Private D.C. Fundraiser

Sarah Mimms | April 15, 2013

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chairman Steve Israel pledged full support to Elizabeth Colbert Busch's special election campaign in South Carolina at a private fundraiser in Washington on Monday evening. "I am here to tell you that we are in this race. ... In three weeks and two days s...

The 8 Most Revealing Passages of Possible Mayoral Candidate Anthony Weiner's New York Times Magazine Profile

Steven Shepard | April 10, 2013

Former Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., confirmed to the New York Times Magazine in a story published early Wednesday that he is considering running for mayor of New York this fall. The 8,000-word piece, written by Jonathan Van Meter, a contributing editor at Vogue and New York magazine, focuses mostly...

Poll: Quinn's Primary Lead Shrinks After Hits From Both Sides

Steven Shepard | April 10, 2013

Besieged on both her left and her right, New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn's commanding lead in September's Democratic mayoral primary is showing signs of slippage, a new poll released on Wednesday suggests. The Quinnipiac University poll still shows Quinn leading her closest Democratic...

How the New York Mayor's Race Scandal Comes Off Like a Cheesy Gangster Movie

Elahe Izadi | April 4, 2013

The five most quotable lines in the federal indictment against New York politicians.

South Carolina Special Election Will Be High-Profile but Have Little National Significance

Alex Roarty | April 2, 2013

There's little reason to believe this off-year fight between Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch and Republican Mark Sanford will carry with it important political lessons.

Play of the Day: The Many Views of Marriage

Ross Gianfortune and Government Executive | March 28, 2013

Fast forward to 3:00 to see how Congress is getting government bikini-ready.

Poll: Menendez Rebounds Slightly as Prostitution Allegations Fizzle

Steven Shepard | March 27, 2013

New Jersey voters are divided on scandal-plagued Sen. Robert Menendez, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll that represents a slight recovery for the embattled Democrat, who is reportedly under investigation for improperly aiding a campaign donor. Forty percent of voters approve of the way...

Play of the Day: Obama's Passover Victory

Ross Gianfortune and Government Executive | March 26, 2013

Fast forward to 3:10 to watch Stewart speak for all Jews in explaining why Israel needed to have a robot bring Obama some matzah.

Ethics: Full Probes Into Reps. Rob Andrews, Don Young

Shane Goldmacher | March 19, 2013

The House Ethics Committee announced Tuesday it was opening full-scale investigations of two lawmakers, Rep. Rob Andrews, D-NJ, and Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, for the alleged use of official or campaign resources for personal purposes.

Weiner Polled for N.Y. Mayoral Bid

Steven Shepard | March 15, 2013

Disgraced former Rep. Anthony Weiner's dormant New York City mayoral campaign paid more than $100,000 to a San Francisco-based polling firm earlier this month, suggesting the once-prominent Democrat whose career was derailed by allegations he sent salacious texts and photographs to various women onl...

Sanford Outraises Field, But Colbert Busch Not Far Behind

Sarah Mimms | March 8, 2013

The latest, pre-primary financial disclosure forms are out in South Carolina's First District special election, and it's no surprise that former Gov. Mark Sanford leads the pack. Absent any public polling in the race, the reports filed with the Federal Election Commission provide the first -- and li...

The Sequester and the Worm

Ross Gianfortune and Government Executive | March 5, 2013

Fast forward to 3:00 to see Kimmel expose pedestrians’ lack of knowledge about sequestration by asking “The Confusing Question of the Day” of people on Hollywood Blvd.

It's Not Just the Penn State Scandal That's Hurting Pennsylvania's Governor

Michael Catalini | February 25, 2013

With few allies on either side of the aisle, Tom Corbett is one of the most vulnerable Republicans up for reelection.

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.

Who's Stronger on Syria, Obama or McCain?

Jill Lawrence | February 11, 2013

Obama's caution was a selling point in 2008 against McCain. Syria is showcasing another clash of their temperaments.

'Lincoln' Screenwriter Fires Back at Connecticut House Member Disgruntled Over Errors

Billy House | February 8, 2013

Tony Kushner's response takes a few jabs at Rep. Joe Courtney, who had said the movie got the state's 1865 House votes on slavery wrong.

When Can the U.S. Kill Americans? The White House Won't Say.

Sara Sorcher | January 31, 2013

The administration refuses to say why it thinks it can kill American terrorists abroad—even to the lawmakers entitled to know.

Who Will Be the Next President Racing at Nationals Baseball Games?

National Journal Staff | January 25, 2013

National Journal staff weigh in on which foam-headed president should join the race.

South Carolina's Celebrity-Filled Special Election

Elahe Izadi | January 22, 2013

Ted Turner's son, Stephen Colbert's sister, and Mark Sanford are all running.

Stephen Colbert's Sister To Run in South Carolina Special Election

Sarah Mimms | January 18, 2013

Comedian Stephen Colbert's sister is hoping her political career in South Carolina has a longer lifespan than her brother's failed presidential bid in the state. Elizabeth Colbert-Busch has informed the state Democratic Party that she will run for the First District seat vacated by Sen. Tim Scott, R...

Why Te'o Hoax, Armstrong Lies Should Matter to Washington

Ron Fournier | January 17, 2013

Loss of faith in social institutions from sports to politics breeds cynicism in voters.

Embattled McDaniel Raises More Than $400,000

Jordain Carney | January 15, 2013

Arkansas Democratic Attorney General Dustin McDaniel raised about $410,500 in the final quarter of 2012, leaving his campaign with around $1.1 million cash on hand going into 2013. The financial disclosure report is his first since McDaniel admitted on Dec. 18 to having an extramarital affair. Isaa...

Little Sign Of a Weiner 2013 Run in New Disclosure

Steven Shepard | January 15, 2013

Disgraced former Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., continues to maintain an office for his dormant campaign for New York City mayor, according to campaign-finance disclosure forms filed Tuesday. But his disclosure shows no signs of fundraising or spending to suggest that he is preparing for a political c...

Obama Plays Down The Importance of Partying

Elahe Izadi | January 14, 2013

President Obama says the electorate, not his social habits, will break gridlock in Washington.

Be It Dogged or Annoying, Office of Congressional Ethics Survives

Billy House | January 10, 2013

A legislative ambush that some feared was intended against the independent Office of Congressional Ethics did not occur last week. And backers of the sometimes controversial watchdog now say they are more confident it will be sticking around to help police congressional behavior, after all.

Obama's Second Term May Be More Blessed Than Cursed

Akhil Reed Amar - The Atlantic | January 4, 2013

By looking at two-term stars more closely, we can see how and why Barack Obama might be more blessed than cursed for his second term.

Can We Fire Washington Over the Fiscal-Cliff Fiasco?

Ron Fournier | January 2, 2013

Washington’s answer to a self-inflicted financial crisis reminded Americans why they so deeply distrust the political class. The “fiscal cliff” process was secretive and sloppy, and the nation’s so-called leadership lacked the political courage to address our root problems: joblessness and debt.

Kerry Nomination Will Trigger Massachusetts Senate Special

Julie Sobel | December 21, 2012

Another Massachusetts Senate special election is on: President Obama will officially nominate Democratic Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., to be secretary of state this afternoon, the Boston Globe reports. The 2004 presidential nominee is expected to sail through the Senate confirmation process. Once he is...

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