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First Hurdle Cleared in Immigration, but Bigger Ones Remain

Fawn Johnson | 4:00 p.m.

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 | 12:10 p.m.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Nuclear Waste in the Age of Climate Change

Coral Davenport | February 21, 2013

Concerns about global warming are giving a boost nuclear power. And that's bringing new focus—and a possible solution—to the problem of radioactive waste.

On the Move

Christopher Snow Hopkins and Mike Magner | February 21, 2013

Angela Rye launches a new lobby shop, Impact Strategies. Domingo Herraiz is Motorola's new VP of North American government affairs. Campaign insider Tharon Johnson joins McKenna Long & Aldridge.

Senate Democrats Get Ready to Defend Obama's Climate-Change Rules

Amy Harder | February 20, 2013

Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Sen. Barbara Boxer is mounting a relentless defense of Obama’s global-warming rules.

The Good Side of Sequestration

Matthew Cooper | February 20, 2013

The cuts are painful but will at least teach a lesson in what government does and why we shouldn't demonize it.

'Most Liberal' Label Probably Won't Hurt Sen. Tom Udall

Scott Bland | February 19, 2013

With New Mexico voters shifting to the left, his 90.7 percent composite liberal score for 2012 will likely have little effect on his reelection bid next year.

Chuck Hagel, Strategic Thinker

Michael Hirsh | February 19, 2013

It looks awfully likely that Chuck Hagel will squeak through confirmation as President Obama's Defense secretary. But it is also likely that he'll enter the Pentagon a damaged figure, a nominee tainted by the lingering impression that he is not ready to handle the vast complexities of a defense budget slated for slashing.

Rockefeller, Lead Senate Player on Cyber, Seeks To Win Over Business

Brian Fung | February 15, 2013

A week after President Obama's groundbreaking executive order on cybersecurity, attention is turning to Congress, where Sen. Jay Rockefeller is reviving stalled legislation on the issue.

New Language for Old Ideas in GOP Medicare Proposals

Margot Sanger-Katz | February 14, 2013

In the months leading up to last November’s elections, politicians were engaged in a linguistic war over how to describe Republican Medicare-reform plans.

GOP Wants More Time, Not More Information, Before Chuck Hagel Vote

Stacy Kaper | February 14, 2013

Republicans defeat effort to end debate on Chuck Hagel's nomination as defense secretary. Democrats call it a filibuster, but the GOP insists it just needs more time to think it through.

Reid: Hagel Vote to be Held Friday

Shane Goldmacher | February 14, 2013

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will go ahead on a confirmation vote for defense secretary nominee Chuck Hagel on Friday morning, accusing Republicans of playing politics while the nation is at war.

Why GOP Sees a Conspiracy As Environmental Groups Join Fight Against Immigration

Fawn Johnson | February 13, 2013

Groups opposing proposals to legalize undocumented immigrants receive grant money from environmentalist population-control groups. It’s not a secret. You can find the evidence right there on the foundation websites. The immigration groups don’t deny it either.

Will House Conservatives Support Rogers' Spending Proposal?

Billy House | February 13, 2013

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Harold Rogers, R-Ky., says he is preparing to introduce a bill to keep government agencies funded through the end of the fiscal year that will be written with a spending level beyond what Speaker John Boehner has promised rank-and-file conservatives.

Obama Vows Openness on Drones – But Will He Follow Through?

Matt Vasilogambros | February 13, 2013

In his State of the Union address, President Obama promised to go further to make the administration’s targeted-killing program more transparent. But some experts have their doubts.

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.

Chuck Hagel's Confirmation as Pentagon Chief Could Be in Doubt

Stacy Kaper | February 12, 2013

Growing unease about Chuck Hagel as Pentagon chief could lead Republicans to force the nomination to clear a 60-vote threshold on the Senate floor, lawmakers said Tuesday.

Easy Ride Expected for Jack Lew at Confirmation Hearing

Niraj Chokshi | February 11, 2013

Jacob Lew is nothing if not prepared.

The Difference a Generation Makes: Numbers Behind Ascending Children of Immigrants

Doris Nhan | February 11, 2013

U.S.-born adult offspring of immigrants are richer, more educated, and consider themselves more assimilated into U.S. culture than their parents, according to a new report released by the Pew Research Center.

Welcome to the Future: Congress Takes on 3-D Printing

Ben Schreckinger | February 10, 2013

Congress is being forced into the brave new world of 3-D printing.

A Tale of Two Confirmation Hearings

Matt Vasilogambros | February 7, 2013

Just a week after Chuck Hagel's train wreck, John Brennan's hearing to become CIA director offers a stark contrast.

Scenes From John Brennan's Confirmation Hearing

Chet Susslin | February 7, 2013

John Brennan Shows Hagel How It's Done

Jill Lawrence | February 7, 2013

John Brennan radiated confidence and authority in his confirmation hearing to become CIA director. Just call him the un-Hagel.

Drone Doublespeak: John Brennan Offers Few Details on 'Targeted Killings'

Ron Fournier | February 7, 2013

Other than doublespeak and vague assurances to share more information with the Senate Intelligence Committee, Brennan shed little light on the Obama administration’s drone policies.

John Brennan’s Love-Hate Relationship With Drones

Michael Hirsh | February 7, 2013

The CIA nominee wants to dump the drones program on the Pentagon, but Defense nominee Chuck Hagel won't be happy about that.

The 5 Most Telling Parts of John Brennan's Senate Testimony

Brian Fung | February 7, 2013

President Obama’s pick for CIA director, John Brennan, isn’t quite James Bond. But with a fluent grasp of Arabic and experience serving as the agency’s Riyadh station chief, Brennan is a bit of a mystery man. Part of his history includes having been a contender four years ago for CIA director. He ended up withdrawing when controversy arose over the Bush administration's harsh interrogations of terrorist suspects. Brennan was a senior CIA official during that time. Those questions still linger, although attention has shifted more recently to his role in the White House’s drone program.

What's At Stake in John Brennan's Hearing to Lead the CIA

Matt Vasilogambros | February 6, 2013

Questions about the administration's drone use and harsh interrogation practices in the Bush era could make for a tense hearing.

Paul Broun First to File for Ga. Senate Race

Sarah Mimms and Alex Roarty | February 6, 2013

Rep. Paul Broun, R-Ga., filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Wednesday to run for Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss' seat, just hours before he is scheduled to make an announcement about the race in Atlanta. Broun is the first candidate to enter the race ahead of what is expected to...

Who Is Sally Jewell, Obama's Choice for Interior Secretary?

Catherine Hollander and Coral Davenport contributed | February 6, 2013

Here's what you need to know about the REI president and CEO, whom the president has picked to replace Ken Salazar.

Bob Menendez Spent Up to 87 Percent of Wealth Paying Back Donor

Shane Goldmacher | February 5, 2013

When Robert Menendez arrived in the U.S. Senate in 2006, he was a relative pauper in a chamber often called a millionaires’ club. The New Jersey Democrat ranked 97th out of 100 senators in terms of his personal wealth, according to financial records filed that year and compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics.

How the U.S. Determines When to Kill One of Its Own Citizens

Matt Vasilogambros | February 5, 2013

The Department of Justice this week leaked its legal justification for drone strikes against Americans

Breakthrough Nears on Tapping Offshore Energy Supply

Coral Davenport | February 5, 2013

In a season of political gridlock, a breakthrough could be near on legislation to promote energy production off the nation’s coastlines.

Does Chuck Hagel Have Enough Support to Clear the Senate? The White House Thinks So

Jim O'Sullivan and Stacy Kaper contributed | February 5, 2013

The White House still thinks it has the Senate votes to put Chuck Hagel in the top job at the Pentagon, but concedes it would be a narrowly won victory.

GOP Senator: Super Bowl Blackout Could Add Momentum to Energy Policy

Amy Harder | February 4, 2013

The Super Bowl blackout could provide the momentum for energy policy like the Hispanic vote has done for immigration reform, according to Senate Energy and Natural Resources Ranking Member Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska.

Future Travelers

Fawn Johnson | February 4, 2013

Who knows what the kids are going to come up with next? Some of them think owning a car is a big bother and would rather rent or borrow one. Others don't even have a driver's license! Their smart phones are an extension of their brains, which makes grown-ups cringe when they get behind the wheel. Still, all that connectivity has tantalizing possibilities for modernizing how people get from place to place.

A Contentious Week in Congress

February 4, 2013

CongressWhite HouseNational SecurityPoliticsEnergyEconomy & BudgetHealth Care TOP FIVE A HOT WEEK ON THE HILL. With the next fiscal showdowns looming, Democrats in the House and Senate are set to brainstorm on strategy at out-of-town retreats this week. But that’s not all. The Senate Intel...

How Will Energy Productivity Jumpstart the Economy?

February 4, 2013

[Editor's note: Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., is guest-moderating and providing the question this week.]

Five Energy/Environment Hill Staffers to Watch

Amy Harder | February 3, 2013

Congress is unlikely to tackle any major energy and environment legislation through regular order. So if any sliver of policy does get through either or both chambers, it will be thanks to the small cadre of energy and environment aides in congressional leadership offices. Here’s who you need to know.

Did Chuck Hagel Fail?

February 1, 2013

CongressWhite HouseNational SecurityPoliticsEnergyEconomy & BudgetHealth Care TOP FIVE DID CHUCK HAGEL FAIL? The strong, silent approach worked for former Sen. Chuck Hagel when he was in Congress and able to ask the questions. But it wasn’t working on Thursday, as National Journal’s...

Need Proof That Joe Biden Is Running for President? Look At His Staff.

Jim O'Sullivan | January 31, 2013

The veep wants his boss’s job in 2016. For evidence, just look at the staff.

Harry Reid Puts His Legacy in the Hands of Others

Chris Frates | January 31, 2013

The Senate majority leader wants other leaders to handle the most controversial legislation.

Chuck Hagel's Independent Streak Backfires

Matt Vasilogambros | January 31, 2013

It was Sen. Lindsey Graham’s turn. Republican senator after Republican senator had grilled Chuck Hagel over his comments in 2008 that “the Jewish lobby intimidates a lot of people” to do “dumb things.” The South Carolina Republican jumped right in.

If You Want a Friend in Washington…Don't Call John McCain

Ron Fournier | January 31, 2013

At Hagel's confirmation hearing, the Arizona senator hammers his "old friend" in a ritual display of D.C. hypocrisy.

Senate to Vote on Debt Deal

Billy House | January 31, 2013

The Democratic-controlled Senate is set to give final passage Thursday to a bill allowing the U.S. Treasury to keep borrowing money until May 19 and ward off the risk of default, putting off one battle as other fights loom with Republicans in upcoming weeks over automatic spending cuts and keeping the government operating.

Leahy Pushes Background Checks, But Little Else

Rebecca Kaplan | January 30, 2013

Senate Judiciary chairman largely silent on other proposals during gun-control hearing.

How a Florida Doctor and Dominican Prostitutes Could Damage New Jersey Senator's Standing

Michael Catalini | January 30, 2013

Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., finds himself facing embarrassing questions after FBI agents raided the home of a South Florida eye doctor who is a frequent campaign contributor to Menendez and other politicians.

Giffords Lends Soft and Powerful Voice to Gun-Control Debate

Ron Fournier | January 30, 2013

Reading from a sheet of paper, the former lawmaker punctuated every word with a poignant pause. "I need to say something important."

Walking Immigration Up the Hill

January 30, 2013

CongressWhite HouseNational SecurityPoliticsEnergyEconomy & BudgetHealth Care TOP FIVE WALKING IMMIGRATION UP THE HILL. The outlines of the coming immigration debate have been set but now lawmakers must hunker down and write legislation—and that could be a long process. There may not be mo...

Taming the Tea Party on Immigration

Fawn Johnson | January 30, 2013

Tea party conservatives are not going to throw themselves on their swords over immigration. The ruby-red conservatives want to wait and see.

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