National Journal Topics | NationalJournal.com

Secretary Kerry Briefs Senate Intel Members on Syria Plans; Cost Still Unknown

Stacy Kaper | June 18, 2013

Senators say they have little information from the White House on the plan to arm Syrian rebels, or any other action the United States might take following confirmation that Syria’s government used chemical weapons against its people.

Television Cameras in the Supreme Court?

Matt Vasilogambros | June 18, 2013

One senator's plea won't likely be heeded by the high court.

Congress Turns to Intel Committees as Members Seek Details on Data Collection

Michael Catalini | June 17, 2013

House and Senate Intelligence committees have taken on a prominent role in explaining the government's data-collection programs to lawmakers.

Senate Energy Chairman Has a Broad Agenda and an Eye Toward a Dream Job

Amy Harder | June 16, 2013

Ron Wyden wasn’t fast enough for the NBA, but he’s plenty quick on his feet in the Senate.

House Faces Off on Farm Bill, Late-Term Abortions

Billy House | June 16, 2013

The Senate continues its floor focus on amendments to its immigration-reform bill.

Edward Snowden Is Completely Wrong

Michael Hirsh and Sara Sorcher | June 13, 2013

Whether he's a hero or traitor, Americans are already so acclimated to the loss of privacy that his revelations won't unnerve them much.

Farm Bill Could Pass the House Next Week, Agriculture Committee Chairman Says

Jerry Hagstrom | June 13, 2013

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas, R-Okla., said Thursday he believes that the farm bill will come up on the House floor next week and could be finished in two days.

A Hollow Military Again?

James Kitfield | June 12, 2013

The looming postwar drawdown of the U.S. armed forces will prove the most challenging of modern times.

Major Battles in the House Armed Services Committee

Sara Sorcher | June 12, 2013

On Aug. 1, 2011, hours before the government was set to default on its debt, House Speaker John Boehner convened Republican members of the House Armed Services Committee in his office to discuss a legislative solution.

Remembering Doug Roach, Veteran Staffer

Jordain Carney | June 12, 2013

It's somewhat rare for a congressional staffer to gain praise from both Republicans and Democrats. Such was the case for Roach, a committee veteran for more than two decades who died in January at the age of 70.

Insiders: House Armed Services Committee Not as Powerful as in the Past

Sara Sorcher | June 12, 2013

Some of National Journal's National Security Insiders point to the "emasculation of the chairman" as a key reason the panel has lost influence.

Why the GOP Isn't Attacking Obama Over Data Collection

Michael Catalini | June 10, 2013

Recent reports that showed the breadth of the government’s secret information-gathering have divided congressional Republicans.

House Judiciary Committee Considers Bill Banning Late-Term Abortions

Billy House | June 10, 2013

Murder convictions last month of Philadelphia abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell are serving as a "teachable moment" on the issue.

Senate Race in Massachusetts Features First Real ‘Climate Candidate’

Coral Davenport | June 10, 2013

In his quest to become the next senator from Massachusetts, Democratic Rep. Edward Markey is doing something that’s never been done before: campaigning for national office on the signature issue of climate change.

Two Senate Panels Compete for Control Over Ethanol Mandate

Amy Harder | June 9, 2013

The federal mandate that biofuels be mixed with gasoline continues to be a political lightning rod.

Lawmakers Need to Show Strong Leadership to Move Forward With Farm Bill

Jerry Hagstrom | June 9, 2013

Cutting through the thicket of rhetoric in time to pass new legislation will be a challenge.

Senate Gears Up for Floor Fight on Immigration

Billy House and George E. Condon Jr. and Nancy Cook and Amy Harder and Catherine Hollander and Fawn Johnson and and Sara Sorcher contributed | June 9, 2013

Following a scheduled vote on its farm bill, the Senate this week will press ahead with major legislation to legalize 11 million undocumented immigrants.

Government’s Data Grabs Are Unlikely to Prompt Legislative Action

Michael Catalini | June 9, 2013

Despite the political and media furor surrounding the NSA, the appetite among some top lawmakers for undoing the legislation is meager.

The Surveillance State: How We Got Here and What Congress Knew

Michael Hirsh | June 7, 2013

The National Security Agency's tracking programs were pushed by the Senate, House and executive branch after 9/11.

What Happened to Eric Holder?

Matthew Cooper | June 7, 2013

He was a Reagan-appointed judge and a Clinton-appointed prosecutor respected by both sides. Then it all fell apart.

Why the IRS Scandals Make It Hard to Fix the IRS

Nancy Cook | June 6, 2013

On the one hand, it helps the momentum for tax reform. On the other hand, wonks are now investigating alleged wrongdoing rather than devising new policy.

James Clapper Clarifies Remarks Over NSA Snooping

Michael Hirsh | June 6, 2013

Director of national intelligence clarifies remarks over NSA snooping, says Benghazi culprits were a "mixed bag."

Holder Declines to Publicly Discuss Government's Collection of Phone Records

Michael Catalini | June 6, 2013

The attorney general said it wasn't the department's intention to grab Congress's or the Supreme Court's records.

House GOP Leaders Limit Revenue Bills to Stall Senate

Billy House | June 5, 2013

By withholding action on revenue bills, House leaders can limit the Senate's options.

A Bipartisan Energy Committee Stuck in a Partisan Senate

Amy Harder | June 5, 2013

None of the many bills passed by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources panel this year have become law.

Conservatives Split on Citizenship Path in Immigration Bill

Tim Alberta and Fawn Johnson and Rebecca Kaplan | June 5, 2013

When it comes to dealing with the millions of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, there remains a persistent—and intense—disagreement within the GOP.

House Committees Kick Off Least Productive Session in More Than a Decade

Billy House | June 5, 2013

Besides oversight hearings, House panels are getting very little done.

Senators Spar Over Bill on Sexual Assault in the Military

Stacy Kaper | June 4, 2013

Stark battle lines are emerging in the Senate over efforts to stamp out the military’s reputation for providing inadequate protections for victims of sexual assault.

Armed Services Leaders Defend Commanders' Powers Over Prosecution of Sexual Assault

Stacy Kaper | June 4, 2013

Senate Armed Services Committee leaders offered a full-throated defense of military commanders to address the spiraling problem of sexual assault in the military at a hearing on Tuesday.

Sandra Fluke Redux? Senate Stacks the Deck Against Reformers in Sexual Assaults Crisis

Stacy Kaper | June 3, 2013

House Republicans set off a firestorm last year when they held a hearing on contraception without inviting any women. Get ready for round two.

Back in Session, Congress Returns Attention to IRS

Shane Goldmacher | June 2, 2013

Congress returns from a weeklong recess with inquiries into the Internal Revenue Service still atop its agenda, as three more hearings have been set and a lawsuit has been filed in federal court.

Marco Rubio to Address House Conservatives on Immigration Reform

Tim Alberta | May 31, 2013

Closed-door summit will be early test for senator to win over immigration skeptics.

McCain Maneuvers to Lead Republicans on Response to Military Sexual Assaults

Stacy Kaper | May 30, 2013

When it comes to how Congress should respond to the spiraling problem of sexual assault in the military, Sen. John McCain appears to be resuming his former role as the leading Republican on the Armed Services Committee.

Bachmann's Departure Relieves GOP Headache

Reid Wilson | May 29, 2013

Rep. Michele Bachmann's decision to retire from Congress next year in the face of investigations by at least five different government agencies will bring to a close a political career full of sound and fury, signifying -- well, not much. Bachmann was first elected to the House of Representatives i...

Are Treasury and the Fed at Odds Over Big Banks?

Michael Hirsh | May 24, 2013

Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew keeps hands off as Wall Street giants grow larger.

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.

Washington’s Other Scandal: Syria

George E. Condon Jr. | May 23, 2013

The obsession over the IRS, hacked reporters, and Benghazi has overshadowed a very real, and increasingly urgent, problem.

For the Future of Immigration Reform, Look to 1986

Fawn Johnson | May 23, 2013

The old law, signed by President Reagan, is the basis of the new bill, even if reformers added a few bells and whistles to win over new converts.

The IRS Was Built to Be Tone Deaf

Nancy Cook | May 23, 2013

Insularity and autonomy were once thought to be key ingredients for a nonpartisan tax-collecting agency.

Letter From Judiciary: How to Survive a Markup

Fawn Johnson | May 23, 2013

Rule One—Empty your bladder. Rule Two—Charge your phone. These are the lessons in survival for anyone covering, lobbying or staffing lawmakers who "mark up" an 800-plus-page bill.

Parties Push For House Retirements

Reid Wilson | May 23, 2013

Exploring the tactics party committees use to pressure vulnerable members of Congress to retire.

Ted Cruz's Path From George W. Bush Adviser to Immigration Reform Opponent

Beth Reinhard | May 23, 2013

Republican critics scoff at Cruz's opposition to a pathway to citizenship.

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.

House Passes Keystone Bill For the Seventh Time, With the Same Result Likely

Amy Harder | May 22, 2013

For the seventh straight time, the bill—approved on a 241-175 vote—is likely to have little substantive effect.

Meet the Man Who Set Off the IRS Firestorm

Shane Goldmacher | May 22, 2013

All the attention this scandal has brought is new for him, but this inspector general has operated in the halls of power his entire career. He worked for Bob Dole and in President George H.W. Bush’s White House, and in between, he attended Harvard Law School alongside a young Michelle—soon-to-be Obama—Robinson.

First Hurdle Cleared in Immigration, but Bigger Ones Remain

Fawn Johnson | May 21, 2013

The Senate Judiciary Committee approves a bill that would give 11 million undocumented immigrants a path to citizenship and require employers to electronically verify all new hires.

Immigration Bill's Last Hurdle Tonight -- Gay Rights

Rebecca Kaplan | May 21, 2013

Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy will still not say whether he plans to put forward an amendment tonight that would extend the bill’s immigration provisions to gay couples.

Hatch, Schumer Reach Deal on High-Skilled Workers in Immigration Bill

Rebecca Kaplan and Fawn Johnson | May 21, 2013

Sens. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Orrin Hatch have reached a deal on visas for high-skilled workers that should ensure the Utah Republican's vote for the immigration bill in committee.

Much at Stake as Energy Department Weighs Permits for Exporting Natural Gas

Amy Harder | May 20, 2013

Christopher Smith, the Energy Department official in charge of shaping the Obama administration’s policy on exporting natural gas, recalls working for Chevron on an import facility during the first part of the last decade. At the time, U.S. reserves were thought to be scarce and fuel prices were accordingly high.

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.

More Scrutiny Ahead for the IRS

Nancy Cook | May 19, 2013

Think the Internal Revenue Service scandal will fade away in time for summer? That may be wishful thinking on the part of the White House and congressional Democrats, who are poised to endure another week of congressional hearings in both the House and Senate.

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.

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 Importance of Being Orrin

Rebecca Kaplan | May 16, 2013

Immigration-reform advocates desperately hope to win over Hatch, the senior senator from Utah. For now, he’s playing coy.

Senate Confirms Energy Secretary, Stalls on EPA and Labor Nominees

Amy Harder | May 16, 2013

The Senate unanimously confirmed Obama’s choice for Energy but nominees for EPA administrator and Labor secretary are still on hold.

Senate Committee Approves Gina McCarthy EPA Nomination Along Party Lines

Coral Davenport | May 16, 2013

Senate Republicans on Thursday eased their opposition to the nomination of Gina McCarthy, President Obama’s pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency—but her confirmation by the full Senate is not yet assured.

Bush-Era EPA Chief Calls Republicans ‘Sore Losers’

Amy Harder | May 15, 2013

Republicans’ decision to boycott a planned committee vote of President Obama’s nominee to head the Environmental Protection Agency makes them look like “sore losers,” says Christine Todd Whitman, EPA administrator under President George W. Bush.

How the Ongoing Scandals Might Actually Aid Bipartisanship on Immigration Reform

Rebecca Kaplan | May 15, 2013

If Republicans assume a hyper-partisan stance on IRS, DOJ, and Benghazi, they may have room to act in a bipartisan manner when it comes to immigration.

Eric Holder in the Hot Seat as Congress Probes Scandals

Rebecca Kaplan and Kristin Roberts | May 15, 2013

The Attorney General is on Capitol Hill on today for a show of fireworks that could be unlike any seen in this Congress so far.

Democrats See the IRS Scandal as the Most Toxic

Shane Goldmacher | May 14, 2013

In triage mode, Congressional Democrats want to treat (and separate themselves from) the trio of this week's scandals one-by-one.

Search for ‘Obamacare’ Funding Angers Lawmakers

Margot Sanger-Katz | May 14, 2013

With money and time running out to implement the president’s health care law, administration officials are looking for funding wherever they can find it—and angering members of Congress along the way.

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.

Republican Immigration Critic Gets Slapped Down

Fawn Johnson | May 14, 2013

The most potent illustration that Republicans have shifted their attitudes on immigration came Tuesday morning when all GOP members of the Senate Judiciary Committee rejected an amendment from Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., to severely limit the number of legal immigrants allowed into the country.

Democrats in Triage Mode on White House Scandals

Shane Goldmacher | May 14, 2013

Congressional Democrats – knowing the fate of a progressive agenda and their own priorities lie with the continued political strength of the White House – hope to treat the emerging scandals independently.

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.

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.

Graphic: Five Things to Watch in the Farm Bill

Jerry Hagstrom and Joey Carolino | May 13, 2013

This week, the Senate and House Agriculture committees will each mark up a new five-year farm bill that would cover farm and nutrition policy through 2018. The Senate markup will be Tuesday,and the House’s markup will be the next day. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., proposes to cut $23 billion over 10 years from a bill that costs close to $1 trillion, while House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas, R-Okla., proposes to cut almost $40 billion.

5 Questions About That Obama IRS Mess

Nancy Cook | May 13, 2013

Here's what you need to know about the alleged targeting of conservative groups' tax status.

'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.

The Border Hawks Have Already Won

Fawn Johnson | May 9, 2013

The Senate immigration bill already addresses hard-liner concerns, which means they’ll have less reason to oppose the final product.

GOP Leans on Lieberman in Boston Probe

Stacy Kaper | May 9, 2013

Putting the former independent senator in an attack-dog role gives Republicans political cover to keep pressing for answers on intelligence and law enforcement failures ahead of the Boston bombings.

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.

Can Bipartisan Cooperation Save Us From Stalemate?

Ronald Brownstein | May 9, 2013

Polarization and the breakdown of the committee system have helped spawn the “Gang of Eight” and its cousins.

GOP Forces Gridlock Over Obama’s Nominees for EPA, Labor

Amy Harder | May 9, 2013

Senate Republicans are forcing partisan debates about the role of the executive branch and its commitment to transparency by blocking the confirmation of two of President Obama’s nominees to top positions within his administration.

Lieberman Backs GOP Line on Security Failures in Boston Marathon Attack

Stacy Kaper | May 9, 2013

Joe Lieberman gave a boost to a Republican line of attack against the Obama administration for failing to fully investigate and share information that might have prevented the Boston bombings.

Immigration-Reform Advocates Sell Legislation in Judiciary Committee

Fawn Johnson | May 9, 2013

Their biggest challenge is to win over rule-of-law conservatives on border enforcement.

Senate Faces Test on Small-Ball Energy Bills

Amy Harder | May 7, 2013

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., will soon have at his feet a small handful of bipartisan energy bills primed for passage, but whether he overcomes the politics that have felled similar efforts in past years is a lingering question.

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.

Who's More Conservative, Ted Cruz or Rand Paul?

Michael Catalini | May 7, 2013

They vote alike more often than not, but there are differences between the possible 2016 contenders.

Heritage Foundation Warns of Steep Costs of Immigration Reform

Rebecca Kaplan | May 6, 2013

The Heritage Foundation released a study Monday saying that legalizing the current population of illegal immigrants could cost $6.3 trillion in entitlements and social programs in the long run. But the report came as no surprise, given that the conservative think tank issued a similar warning in 2007, and it’s unlikely to substantially change the fate of immigration reform in the Senate.

Debt-Ceiling Fight May Flare This Week

Billy House and George E. Condon Jr. and Nancy Cook and Amy Harder and Fawn Johnson and Margot Sanger-Katz and and Sara Sorcher contributed | May 5, 2013

House Republicans will push action on a bill signaling no retreat from their demand for spending cuts as a condition to any ceiling hike.

Marco Rubio: A Successful Salesman for Immigration Reform?

Rebecca Kaplan | May 5, 2013

Recess has been tough for Marco Rubio.

Political Barriers Stand Between Obama and Closing Guantanamo Facility

Michael Catalini | May 3, 2013

Little has changed politically since the last time Congress rebuffed the president.

The GOP’s ‘Obamacare’ Ploy

Margot Sanger-Katz | May 2, 2013

One House Republican is willing to sacrifice an insurance program conservatives love—for the sake of a political sound bite.

Tea Party Hopes for a Peachy 2014 in Georgia

Shane Goldmacher | May 2, 2013

Three open House races and an open Senate seat make Georgia one of the nation’s best opportunities.

Meet the Yahoo Caucus

Norm Ornstein | May 1, 2013

Congress is filled with informal caucuses, from the Black Caucus to the Wine Caucus. I have a new one to propose, which might be among the largest: the Yahoo Caucus.

Lobbyists: Max Baucus' Retirement Isn't a Game Changer for Tax Reform

Chris Frates | May 1, 2013

“I don’t think the landscape has changed because of Baucus’s announcement. He’s got 18 months to get it done, and he had 18 months to get it done before.”

House Homeland Security Committee Plans Hearing on Boston Attack for Next Week

Stacy Kaper | April 30, 2013

The House Homeland Security Committee plans to hold the first congressional hearing next week examining the Boston Marathon terrorist attack and what it says about the state of the nation’s post-Sept. 11 security infrastructure.

What the Energy Panel Would Look Like Under Chairwoman Landrieu

Amy Harder | April 29, 2013

If Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., takes over the gavel of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee next Congress, she is in a prime spot to lead on an issue that’s critically important to her state.

Connecticut Lawmakers Back 'Coltsville' Park at Firearms Site Near Newtown

Billy House | April 28, 2013

Members of Connecticut’s congressional delegation are supporting a plan to create a national park out of the historic Colt firearms manufacturing plant in Hartford, just 50 miles from the site of the Newtown shooting.

Asylum and Entry/Exit Systems Get Another Look in Congress After Boston

Fawn Johnson | April 28, 2013

The impact of the bombings on the immigration debate has narrowed in on just two isolated policy arenas.

Landrieu Primed to Lead Energy Panel – If She Wins Reelection

Amy Harder | April 28, 2013

A domino effect prompted by Max Baucus’s coming retirement leaves her poised to chair what is arguably the most important committee to energy-rich Louisiana.

A Playbook for Undoing the Sequester

Nancy Cook | April 28, 2013

When Congress voted last week to give the FAA more flexibility with its cuts, it set off a race among other special interests to push for exemptions.

FAA Furloughs to End, but Who Is to Blame for All the Flight Delays?

Billy House | April 26, 2013

The House gave final approval Friday to a bill designed to end the furloughs of air-traffic controllers, but not before a partisan floor fight over who is to blame for the thousands of flight delays this week.

Yucca Mountain Casts a Long Shadow Over Nuclear-Waste Bill Introduced in the Senate

Amy Harder | April 25, 2013

The legislation is silent on whether a proposed agency to manage nuclear waste might consider the nixed Nevada site as a future option.

America's Next National Security Risk: Footwear?

Matt Vasilogambros | April 25, 2013

The keys to a strong military are coordinated intelligence efforts, high-tech weaponry, and good shoes – American-made shoes, that is, according to certain members of the sneaker lobby.

The Week That Kicked Off The Battle For The Senate

Reid Wilson | April 25, 2013

Republicans in position to take back the upper chamber, if they can avoid self-destructive tendencies.

Senators Focus on Information Breakdown in Boston Attack

Stacy Kaper | April 24, 2013

In the wake of the Boston Marathon attack, lawmakers are focusing on whether federal law enforcement botched information it had about the deceased suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev in 2011 and whether post-Sept. 11 information-sharing security measures broke down.

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.

Immigration-Reform Opponents Lack Strategy

Rebecca Kaplan | April 24, 2013

In the week since the “Gang of Eight” released its 844-page immigration bill, there have been three days of hearings featuring 26 witnesses. The compressed time frame has left opponents of the bill little time to read it, let alone formulate a strategy to alter the measure to their liking or kill it entirely.

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.

How Republicans Can Win Over Their Party on Immigration

Fawn Johnson | April 23, 2013

It’s a combination of charm and fear tactics. Republican defenders of an immigration overhaul are talking up their ability to write into law a tough enforcement strategy.

Obama’s Pick for Energy Secretary Blocked Over Cuts at S.C. Nuclear-Waste Plant

Amy Harder | April 23, 2013

In his recent confirmation hearing, Ernest Moniz told senators that one of his very first trips as Energy secretary would be to Hanford, the troublesome nuclear-waste site in Washington state. But Moniz might be wise to detour down to South Carolina on his way in light of a move Tuesday by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., to block his confirmation.

How Will Texas Explosion Impact Chemical Security Laws?

Douglas P. Guarino | April 23, 2013

Industry officials 'appalled' by those who say the incident suggests a need for tougher chemical security laws.

Schweitzer Considering Bid For Baucus Seat

Reid Wilson | April 23, 2013

Senate Finance Committee chairman Max Baucus's decision to retire instead of seeking a seventh term further complicates Democratic efforts to keep control of the Senate -- unless the most popular Democrat in Montana decides to take a shot at the seat. Former Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer is "leanin...

Reid Set to Push for Conference on Budget

Stacy Kaper | April 23, 2013

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, is expected to ask the Senate for consent to move to a conference on the budget, according to a Democratic aide.

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.

Hydropower Bills Enjoy Bipartisan Support in Congress

Amy Harder | April 22, 2013

With a pair of bills on hydropower, lawmakers are reviving two pieces of conventional wisdom long forgotten in gridlocked Washington: Energy issues tend to be more geographical than ideological, and Republicans can (and do) support renewable energy.

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.

How Immigration Opponents Are Trying to Use the Boston Bombings to Delay Reform

Rebecca Kaplan | April 22, 2013

Democrats, Gang of Eight members, are playing offense to prevent delays.

Immigration Debate May Grow More Complicated

Billy House and George E. Condon Jr. and Nancy Cook and Coral Davenport and Fawn Johnson and Margot Sanger-Katz and and Sara Sorcher | April 21, 2013

With Congress focused on immigration reform this week, the national security aspects of the issue are moving to the forefront amid efforts by some conservatives to inject the Boston Marathon bombing suspects into that debate.

There Aren't Easy Policy Prescriptions After Boston Bombing

Naureen Khan | April 19, 2013

How do you prevent self-styled terrorists who appear to be acting alone?

Let’s Not Talk About Climate Change

Coral Davenport | April 18, 2013

Louisiana’s two senators worry more about oil than the rising water level.

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.

Tom Hassenboehler, Chief Counsel, Energy and Power Subcommittee

April 17, 2013

When Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., hired Tom Hassenboehler in December 2012, it was a reunion of sorts for the 35-year-old policy expert.

No Big Bills, But Plenty of Action on Health Care

Margot Sanger-Katz | April 17, 2013

The Energy and Commerce Committee won’t be passing any blockbuster health care bills this session—much as some GOP members would still love to repeal the Affordable Care Act—but several smaller measures on the agenda are likely to make it to the House floor.

Time Looks Right for Permanent ‘Doc Fix’

Margot Sanger-Katz | April 17, 2013

Since 1997, when Congress passed legislation with the dreaded “sustainable growth rate” formula, the problem of how to compensate doctors who treat Medicare patients has been a perennial issue before the House Energy and Commerce Committee and Congress as a whole.

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.

Ricin Letter Adds To Anxiety on the Hill

Billy House and Stacy Kaper | April 16, 2013

Amid an already edgy state of alert in Washington following Monday’s bombings at the Boston Marathon, law enforcement officials confirmed on Tuesday that they were also investigating whether an envelope containing the poison ricin was intended to harm Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss.

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.

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.

House Energy Committee’s Redux Agenda

Amy Harder | April 15, 2013

It’s a new Congress, but it’s hard to tell by looking at the agenda of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

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.

Slow-Motion Gun Battle Plays Out in Senate

Billy House | April 14, 2013

Lawmakers will stage some slow-going drama this week as the Senate proceeds in its deliberations on gun-control legislation with a series of votes on amendments—many of them likely to usher in their own mini-floor fights, or even filibusters.

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.

House GOP Shrugs Off Senate Progress on Guns

Tim Alberta | April 11, 2013

In the four months since Newtown, conservative House Republicans have made a consistent case against passing any new gun-related laws.

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.

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.

Republicans to Begin New Assault on Obama’s Climate Plans at Hearing for EPA Nominee

Coral Davenport | April 10, 2013

The Obama administration and Senate Republicans face off in a high-drama clash over global warming on Thursday, as the president’s choice to lead the Environmental Protection Agency undergoes questioning by the committee considering her nomination.

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.

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.

For Congress, A Rare Break From Fiscal Crises

Chris Frates | April 8, 2013

Though the delivery of the president’s budget will keep numbers in the news this week, lawmakers return to Washington from a recess for the first time this year without a fiscal crisis bearing down on them.

Agenda Is Stacked for Return of Congress; Obama Will Pile on More With His Budget

Billy House and George E. Condon Jr. and Nancy Cook and Coral Davenport and Fawn Johnson and Margot Sanger-Katz and and Sara Sorcher contributed | April 7, 2013

The prospects for renewed talks on a long-term deficit-reduction deal reach a pivotal point this week with the release Wednesday of President Obama’s budget plan, which offers cuts to Social Security and Medicare in the hope of softening Republican opposition to tax hikes.

Sen. Wyden to Grill Obama's Energy Nominee on Nuclear-Waste Site

Amy Harder | April 7, 2013

On Tuesday, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Ernest Moniz, President Obama’s nominee for Energy secretary, are going to square off like it’s 1998.

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.

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.

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.

Will Tax Reform See a Vote Anytime Soon?

Billy House | April 1, 2013

Despite pledges by the key chairmen in the House and Senate to move on tax reform, action is unlikely this year—and may not come at all in the 113th Congress.

The House GOP's Strategy to Starve the Senate

Billy House | March 28, 2013

A strategy by House Republican leaders to bottle up revenue bills until a comprehensive overhaul of the tax code is finished is being sold to GOP lawmakers as a tactical way to hobble Senate Democrats.

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?"

Ethanol Debate Has Glimpse of Bipartisanship

Amy Harder | March 27, 2013

The top Republican and Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee are finally on the same page about a controversial energy policy after reading from two completely different playbooks the last four years.

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.

Five Easy Pieces of Energy Legislation

Coral Davenport | March 25, 2013

There are hopeful signs that years of gridlock could be replaced by action on some small-scale bills.

Five Small Business Committee Staffers to Know

Amy Harder and Stacy Kaper | March 24, 2013

Here are the people you need to know on the Small Business Committee staffs on both sides of the Capitol.

Armed With Excuses, Lawmakers Head Home to Sequester Complaints

Stacy Kaper and Rebecca Kaplan and Amy Harder contributed | March 24, 2013

As lawmakers were preparing to go back home to their districts for a two-week recess, many were already getting an earful of grievances from constituents about the sequester’s impact and were bracing to hear far more in meetings and town halls.

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.

Halligan's Withdrawal Is a Victory for GOP and Gridlock

James Oliphant | March 22, 2013

Obama loses the battle to get his pick onto a court considered an on-ramp to the Supreme Court.

When the Whole World Has Drones

Kristin Roberts | March 21, 2013

The precedents the U.S. has set for robotic warfare may have fearsome consequences as other countries catch up.

Hillary Clinton's Global Feminist Legacy

Jill Lawrence | March 21, 2013

Her tenure at State may have lacked a bold diplomatic achievement. But posterity will remember her efforts to help women.

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.

Border Triggers Could Sink Immigration Deal

Fawn Johnson | March 21, 2013

Republicans' insistence that border-security benchmarks be met before legalizing 11-12 million illegal immigrants could sink the emerging compromise measure.

Sparks, Politics, and Amendments Will Fly in Vote-a-Rama

Shane Goldmacher | March 21, 2013

Senators will offer a raft of amendments Friday as the chamber debates its first budget in 4 years, taking advantage of the rare chance to force the opposing party into an unlimited number of tough votes.

Reid Moves Forward on Gun Bill, Includes Background Checks

Shane Goldmacher | March 21, 2013

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The Man Who Could Turn Texas Blue: Rick Perry

Ronald Brownstein | March 21, 2013

By opposing Medicaid expansion, the governor could hurt the GOP in a must-win state.

Organic-Food Champion’s Departure From USDA Sows Seeds of Concern

Jerry Hagstrom | March 20, 2013

Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan’s upcoming departure has raised a lot of questions about the Obama administration’s commitment to organic and local food production, but she said in an exclusive interview Wednesday that it will have almost four more years to institutionalize the changes she has made at the department.

Invasion of the Drones Has Senate Panel’s Attention

Sara Sorcher | March 20, 2013

Like it or not, drones are coming to American skies. Now Congress must find a way to protect the right to privacy.

Tiny Think Tank a Major Player on Energy Policy

Coral Davenport | March 19, 2013

Robbie Diamond has the name of a used-car salesman—and with his slick, shiny coif, ever-present white-toothed smile, and knack for self-promotion—he might even pass for one.

Stop the Presses: Putting Public Documents Online Has Saved Taxpayers $16 Million

Brian Fung | March 19, 2013

Digitizing public documents isn’t just a way to monitor elected and appointed officials. It’s also a small way the country can save some money.

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.

5 Staffers to Watch on the House and Senate Budget Committees

Stacy Kaper and Amy Harder | March 17, 2013

The House and Senate will be wrangling with their respective budgets this week. There’s little expectation that the two chambers’ products will be combined into a joint budget resolution, but they serve as the starting points for broader budget debates between Republicans and Democrats. Here’s a look at the two Budget committees’ top staffers who are critical to this process.

Previewing the Sunday Shows

Christopher Peleo-Lazar | March 15, 2013

This week's Sunday shows will focus on the rival budgets put forth by leaders from both parties. House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., will be on Face the Nation, while House Speaker John Boehner will be doing a one-on-one interview with ABC's Martha Raddatz on This Week. The Sunday sh...

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.

In Senate, Assault Weapons Are Complicated

Fawn Johnson | March 14, 2013

The Senate Judiciary Committee’s vote Thursday approving an assault-weapons ban was a sham—if you think the purpose was to ban assault weapons. If you think the committee’s vote offered an opportunity for lawmakers to parse and deliberate complicated and unresolved questions about the Constitution, guns, and violence, then it was a highly productive 90 minutes.

Patty Murray’s Stature Is Tied to Her Budget’s Fate

Stacy Kaper | March 14, 2013

Succeeding in what Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., dubbed “mission impossible” could elevate Murray's status as a rising star in Democratic ranks.

Chickening Out on Medicare

Margot Sanger-Katz | March 14, 2013

They agree the entitlement is in deep trouble. So why didn't pols cut as much as they could have?

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.

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.

After Snag, Senate Moving on Bill to Avert Shutdown

Billy House | March 13, 2013

The Senate on Wednesday morning was opening its debate on a bill to keep government funded through Sept. 30, after Republicans dropped objections to proceeding.

House Republican Budget Offers More of the Same

Nancy Cook | March 12, 2013

By unveiling a budget blueprint that would erase the deficit in just 10 years, House Republicans sought on Tuesday to make that goal the gold standard and bare minimum for all future budget battles between the two parties.

Gun Owners’ ‘List’ Slows Background-Check Bill in Senate

Fawn Johnson | March 12, 2013

If you expand background checks on gun purchases to private sales and Internet sales, what happens to “the list” of gun buyers? It could create a paper trail for every lawful gun owner in America.

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.

Lieberman and Kyl to Lead Project on America’s Global Role

Mike Magner | March 11, 2013

Juliane Sullivan, a onetime policy director for ex-House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, will become the new director of the Republican staff for the House Education and the Workforce Committee on Monday.

Vulnerable Senate Dems on Their Own on Budget Vote

Alex Roarty | March 11, 2013

The executive director of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee said Monday that he will not advise vulnerable incumbents how to vote on the Senate Democrats' upcoming budget proposal, saying the politically consequential decisions will be left to individual members. "They'll weigh the pros...

Proposed Elements in Bipartisan Senate Pact Creates Second-Class Citizenship

Elspeth Reeve - The Atlantic Wire | March 11, 2013

A bipartisan group of senators has reached a forthcoming and tentative agreement to create a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants with four elements that American citizens might eject as intolerable.

National Security Insiders: It's Possible for Congress to Oversee Drone Program

Sara Sorcher | March 11, 2013

Plus: A narrow majority says Chuck Hagel will be a good Defense secretary.

Five Staff Positions to Watch During Senate Confirmation Hearings on Energy Nominees

Amy Harder | March 10, 2013

Here are some key staffers involved in the vetting of Obama's nominees for his second-term energy and environment team.

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.

Budget Cuts Keep Freshman Senators in the 'Swing Suites'

Amy Harder and Rebecca Kaplan and Stacy Kaper contributed | March 9, 2013

The across-the-board cuts to the federal government’s budget are exacerbating an already convoluted process for new senators moving from cramped temporary digs to their permanent offices.

Why the Senate Democrats' Budget Will Be Vague

Nancy Cook and Margot Sanger-Katz | March 7, 2013

The fewer specifics they offer, the less political ammunition there will be for the GOP to use against them.

Carl Levin Not Running for Reelection

Alex Brown and Alex Roarty | March 7, 2013

Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., announced late on Thursday that he will not seek a seventh term in 2014, leaving Democrats with another open seat to defend next year. Levin called the decision "extremely difficult" and said he wanted to focus on his role as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee "without the distraction of campaigning for re-election."

Gun-Control Groups Take Pragmatic Approach, Focus on Background Checks

Matt Vasilogambros | March 7, 2013

Facing strong resistance to an assault-rifle ban, advocates say universal background checks now stand a greater chance of passage.

Obama's Dinner Out With Senators Didn't Solve the Budget Mess, But It Did Ease Tensions

Nancy Cook | March 7, 2013

Want the partisan acrimony between Democrats and Republicans to fade? Turns out all you need to do is buy people a fancy meal.

The Obama Administration's Super-Expensive, Legally Dubious Medicaid Plan

Margot Sanger-Katz | March 5, 2013

Arkansas is a test case for a new privatization plan that could win support from GOP politicians in other states.

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.

Disgraced Ex-Congressman Attacks John Boehner in New Book

George E. Condon Jr. | March 5, 2013

Imprisoned for his role in the Abramoff scandal, former Rep. Bob Ney of Ohio has some scores to settle.

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.

Budget Cuts Come to Congress

Billy House | March 4, 2013

While lawmakers enjoy the constitutionally protected luxury of not having to worry about their own pay or jobs being impacted by the sequester cuts they helped to impose, their staff, office expenses, and committee budgets have no such protection.

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

Coral Davenport | March 4, 2013

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

4 Things to Know About Gina McCarthy, Obama's Pick to Head EPA

Catherine Hollander | March 4, 2013

President Obama on Monday announced his selection of Gina McCarthy, the Environmental Protection Agency’s assistant administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation. Here are a few things you should know about McCarthy.

Does Ben Bernanke Care Too Much About Jobs?

Caren Bohan and Catherine Hollander | February 28, 2013

Critics say the Fed chair has tried so hard to get Americans back to work that he may cause another financial crisis.

How the Sequester Could Play Out

Stacy Kaper | February 28, 2013

With sequestration all but certain to kick in Friday, there are several scenarios that may unfold. Here are some possibilities for the ensuing policy and politics.

Gun-Control Advocates Began 2013 With Plenty of Momentum. Is It Fading?

Matt Vasilogambros | February 28, 2013

For weeks, lawmakers have been consumed by debates over massive spending cuts and nomination fights. This is the last thing that gun-control advocates needed.

The Overhyped, Overblown, & Overly Politicized Sequester Fears

Niraj Chokshi and Nancy Cook | February 27, 2013

It turns out that the next big fiscal crisis will seem more like a whimper when it hits on March 1.

Rand Paul Pledges to Hold Up Brennan’s CIA Nomination Until He Gets Answers on Drones

Sara Sorcher | February 26, 2013

Sen. Rand Paul sees it as a very simple question, which could easily be answered with a “yes” or a “no”: Can the Obama administration authorize the use of lethal force—such as a drone strike—against a U.S. citizen on American soil?

Few Know Jack Lew's Views on Big Bank Laws As His Confirmation Moves Through Senate

Nancy Cook | February 25, 2013

So far, the Senate proceedings on President Obama’s nominee for Treasury secretary, Jacob Lew, have been surprisingly free of political fireworks, which could pave the way for a confirmation vote by the end of the week.

Who To Watch on Capitol Hill During the Sequestration Fight

Stacy Kaper and Amy Harder | February 24, 2013

Here are 5 leadership staffers critical to developing the policy proposals and political strategy of the sequestration battle.

Congress and Obama Assign Blame as Sequester Deadline Approaches

Billy House | February 24, 2013

Just four days remain until Friday’s start date for federal spending cuts that were supposed to be too painful to ever let happen, but lawmakers return to Washington on Monday with little hope for an eleventh-hour deal to avert or reshape them—or any let-up in the fighting over who is to blame.

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