National Journal Topics | NationalJournal.com

Poll: Malloy Trails Foley in Potential 2014 Rematch

Kevin Brennan | 2:00 a.m.

After narrowly prevailing in the face of a national GOP wave in 2010, Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy begins his reelection campaign as a slight underdog against the Republican he defeated three years ago, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday. The survey shows the Democratic...

Senators Scramble to Prevent Doubling of Student-Loan Rates

Elahe Izadi | 6:01 p.m.

As the clock ticks down toward the doubling of some student-loan interest rates, a group of senators has been scrambling to come to an agreement to solve the problem.

Television Cameras in the Supreme Court?

Matt Vasilogambros | June 18, 2013

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

Alexander to Reid: Mess With the Filibuster at Your Own Peril

Niraj Chokshi | June 18, 2013

If Reid goes through with the rule change for voting on White House nominees, he could soon have a bigger, more personal problem on his hands.

Can Natural Gas Really Deliver American Energy Independence?

Matt Vasilogambros | June 18, 2013

Several members of Congress seem to think so.

Sens. Hoeven, Corker Push New Border-Security Amendment

Rebecca Kaplan | June 17, 2013

The lawmakers seek to establish more-objective metrics to define what it means for the border to be under operational control.

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.

Sen. Cornyn Reveals Not One, Not Two, but Three Public Pensions Atop His Salary

Shane Goldmacher | June 17, 2013

The Texas Republican earned $65,383 in retirement benefits last year on top of his $174,000 U.S. senator salary.

Fueling The Nation: The Transportation Transformation

June 17, 2013

Tuesday, June 18, 2013, National Journal will host "Fueling The Nation: The Transportation Transformation," an in-depth policy summit on the future of American energy and how the nation will continue to meet its transportation fuel needs.

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

Shane Goldmacher | June 17, 2013

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

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.

Curbelo Inches Closer to Entering South Fla. House Race

Sarah Mimms | June 15, 2013

The headlines have not been kind toward Rep. Joe Garcia, D-Fla., over the past two weeks, and they could get uglier later this month with a viable Republican challenger looking more likely to get into the race. Carlos Curbelo, a former political consultant and member of the Miami-Dade School board,...

TUESDAY - Fueling the Nation: The Transportation Transformation

June 14, 2013

Tuesday, June 18, 2013, National Journal will host "Fueling The Nation: The Transportation Transformation," an in-depth policy summit on the future of American energy and its relationship with our nation's transit systems. Speakers will explore a range of issues that are central to future transportation planning decisions. Among them: The success potential of different types of alternative fuels; the impact of private-sector initiatives versus government policies; the role of environmental protection in energy and transportation development, and more.

Strange Bedfellows: Why Marco Rubio and Rand Paul Need Each Other

Beth Reinhard | June 14, 2013

Rand Paul and Marco Rubio may soon go head-to-head in a fierce competition for the Republican presidential nomination. But a funny thing happened on the way to the White House: The would-be rivals have found themselves in a bromance, each of them needing to bask in each other's glow for their own political purposes.

Will North Carolina Shape the Future of the Senate?

Alex Roarty | June 13, 2013

The race there could go a long way to determining whether Republicans or Democrats control the upper chamber in 2015.

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.

Wyden: Tell Senators Not to Tinker With Energy-Efficiency Bill

Amy Harder | June 13, 2013

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., urges supporters of a popular energy-efficiency bill to tell senators not to load it down with unrelated controversies on the Senate floor.

GOP Not Backing Down on Border Security in Immigration Bill

Chris Frates | June 13, 2013

Republicans concede Cornyn's border bill can't pass, but they insist something's needed on security to get support for reform.

Sandy Hook Families Try to Revive Gun-Control Debate With Hill Visits

Elahe Izadi and Fawn Johnson contributed | June 12, 2013

Advocates think there may be a path to make changes to the Senate legislation to satisfy some lawmakers who voted against it.

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.

Republicans Walk Immigration Tightrope

Reid Wilson | June 12, 2013

As the Senate debates a sweeping overhaul, some Republicans worry about being stuck between a rock and border fence.

Rubio’s Right. The Gang Is Far From a Supermajority on Immigration

Chris Frates | June 12, 2013

The biggest issue splitting the parties right now is how best to secure the border, and the fight is getting nasty, quick.

Why Democrats Are Afraid of Border Security

Fawn Johnson | June 12, 2013

For the Senate to pass a comprehensive immigration-reform bill, each side is going to have to start trusting the other.

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.

Immigration-Reform Advocates Brace for Flood of Amendments

Rebecca Kaplan | June 10, 2013

The verbal slugfest over border security is likely to dominate proceedings the rest of the week.

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.

Closing Arguments Debut In Massachusetts

Reid Wilson | June 7, 2013

Gabriel Gomez, the Republican nominee running in this month's special Senate election in Massachusetts, is a Republican, supported by Republicans, with a long history of voting for Republicans. That's the singular message Democrats plan to hammer home to Bay State voters over the next three weeks as...

At Fundraiser, Alison Lundergan Grimes Sounds Like a Senate Candidate

Sarah Mimms | June 7, 2013

Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes says she hasn't made up her mind yet about whether she'll challenge Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in 2014, but she sure sounded like a candidate at a party fundraiser last night. "My fellow Kentuckians, I ask you, based on tonight and in...

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.

The Most Contested Turf in Congress Isn’t Where You Think

Ben Terris | June 6, 2013

Democrats have spent recent years thrashing Republicans on the baseball diamond. Now the GOP thinks it found its secret weapons.

The Two Faces of Marco Rubio

Rebecca Kaplan | June 6, 2013

He's trying to be both a high-level negotiator and a disappointed populist. With the immigration bill, he’ll eventually have to choose.

Poll: Which Party Is Doing a Better Job Recruiting Candidates for 2014?

Michael Catalini and Naureen Khan and Peter Bell | June 6, 2013

Most Insiders say their own party is doing well.

Dems Dump $1.25 Million Into Massachusetts Senate Race

Reid Wilson | June 6, 2013

Two major Democratic groups are spending a combined $1 million on advertisements on behalf of Rep. Ed Markey, a major investment in the race for Secretary of State John Kerry's old Senate seat. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is spending at least $750,000 on advertisements, the Washing...

Senate Democrats Change The Guard

Reid Wilson | June 6, 2013

Younger, more progressive senators are taking over the party.

The Republicans' Plan to Take Down Richard Cordray

Chris Frates | June 6, 2013

President Obama's nominee to head the new consumer protection bureau could get caught in the crossfire with Republicans over Senate rules.

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.

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.

Susana Martinez: No To Presidency, Down On Immigration Reform

Reid Wilson | June 5, 2013

Gov. Susana Martinez has a one-word answer for anyone who asks whether she'll run for president: No. The first-term Republican, in town for a major fundraiser for her re-election campaign hosted by some of the biggest names in the GOP, says she's happy with her current job, and that she feels she o...

Vacancy Packing: Obama Emerges From His Five-Year Appeals-Court Nap

Major Garrett | June 4, 2013

Picking a judicial nomination fight used to be rare. But in the past two decades, it has become a burdensome and often ugly blood sport.

Why Senate Democrats Will Miss Frank Lautenberg

Michael Catalini | June 3, 2013

Senate Democrats have many reasons to miss Frank Lautenberg.

The Reason Mike Rogers Won’t Run for Senate

Tim Alberta | June 3, 2013

Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., is under pressure from Republican power brokers to run for the Senate next year. The party loyalist in him is considering it. But to everyone around Rogers, the move just doesn’t add up.

Terri Lynn Land Enters Michigan Race As Mike Rogers Dithers

Tim Alberta | June 3, 2013

Former Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land will run for the state's open U.S. Senate seat in 2014, becoming the first major Republican to enter the race for the seat being vacated by Democratic Sen. Carl Levin.

Moran: Massachusetts a 3-6 Point Race

Reid Wilson | June 2, 2013

National Republican Senatorial Committee chairman Jerry Moran says the race between Democratic Rep. Edward Markey and businessman Gabriel Gomez is a three-to-six-point race just three weeks before voters head to the polls for the June 25 special election. In an interview on C-SPAN's "Newsmakers" pr...

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.

Parties Prepare to Reverse Rhetoric on 'Nuclear Option' for Judicial Nominees

Norm Ornstein | May 29, 2013

Watching Sen. Chuck Grassley rail against President Obama for "court packing" made me laugh out loud. I laughed for several reasons. One was wondering whether a senior senator and longtime member of the Judiciary Committee really had no idea what court packing is, or was he reaching for new heights of disingenuousness: How could a move by a president simply to fill long-standing existing vacancies on federal courts be termed court packing?

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...

Obama Campaign Group Targets Climate Change

Coral Davenport | May 28, 2013

While President Obama's reelection campaign was almost completely silent on the issue of climate change, Organizing for Action, the advocacy group tooled from his 2012 campaign machine, has launched a campaign designed to build support for the president's climate-change agenda.

The Curious Case of Rick Renzi

Billy House | May 28, 2013

With the long-awaited corruption trial in Arizona of former three-term Rep. Rick Renzi as the legal battleground, House Republican and Democratic leaders are accusing the Justice Department of seeking to undercut special constitutional protections afforded to federal lawmakers and their legislative acts.

‘Obamacare’ Ads to Begin Airing in Mitch McConnell’s Home State

Chris Frates | May 23, 2013

As part of the multimillion-dollar implementation of "Obamacare," the health exchange where Kentucky residents can shop for insurance will launch a media campaign next month, and the state’s senior Republican is none too pleased about it.

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.

Republican Blueprint for 2014? Scandal, Most of the Time

Alex Roarty | May 23, 2013

Republicans are downplaying the need to retool the party, anticipating Obama's second-term struggles.

House Immigration 'Gang' Struggles, GOP Hints at Republican Bill

Rebecca Kaplan and Chris Frates contributed | May 23, 2013

As the House group struggling to write a bipartisan immigration bill huddled in the Capitol, Republican leadership indicated its wait-and-see approach was over. They'll consider legislation, but it won't be the Senate bill, and no matter what the House gang does, the bill will run through a largely conservative Judiciary Committee.

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.

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.

Why Oklahoma's Two Republican Senators Are Leery of Unfunded Tornado Relief

Michael Catalini | May 21, 2013

Oklahoma voters aren't likely to be upset about their senators' fiscal conservatism.

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.

Republicans Are Watching Their Rhetoric on Obama Scandals

Michael Catalini | May 20, 2013

It's more likely to hear Nixon comparisons from Bob Woodward or Bob Schieffer than GOP leaders.

Congress: The Next Generation

Sarah Mimms | May 20, 2013

Former lawmakers are helping their children in so many races this year that we might as well dub next Election Day “Take Your Kid to Congress Day.”

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.

Obama's Troubles Could Put Massachusetts Senate Seat In Play -- Again

Alex Roarty | May 19, 2013

In 2010, Republicans won a special election during a low point of Obama's presidency. Will it happen again?

Bipartisanship on Water Projects in Senate Spurred by Freedom to Fish Act

Amy Harder | May 19, 2013

The senior energy aide to Mitch McConnell, the Senate Republican leader from the coal state of Kentucky, was praised last week by one of the Senate’s top environmentalists, Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Barbara Boxer, D-Calif. The compliment seems unusual amid the hyper-partisanship that’s now the norm in Washington, but when put into context it makes sense.

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.

Eric Cantor’s Caucus Thwarts His Push for an Alternative Agenda

Norm Ornstein | May 16, 2013

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor has learned, to his chagrin, that solving problems, much less finding compromises, is not on the agenda of a majority of his House Republican colleagues.

Eric Cantor’s Caucus Thwarts His Push for an Alternative Agenda

Norm Ornstein | May 15, 2013

Readers of It’s Even Worse Than It Looks know that I have not always treated House Majority Leader Eric Cantor kindly. I have excoriated him for engineering the debt-ceiling crisis in 2011 as a hostage-taking exercise, and then blowing up the talks between President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner that could have led to a grand bargain. Cantor himself recently took credit for the latter in a profile written by Ryan Lizza in The New Yorker. He told Lizza “that it was a ‘fair assessment’ that he talked Boehner out of accepting Obama’s deal. He said he told Boehner that it would be better, instead, to take the issues of taxes and spending to the voters and ‘have it out’ with the Democrats in the election. Why give Obama an enormous political victory, and potentially help him win reelection, when they might be able to negotiate a more favorable deal with a new Republican president? Boehner told Obama there was no deal. Instead of a grand bargain, Cantor and the House Republicans made a grand bet.”

For Abercrombie, Senate Primary Is a Chance to Make His Mark

Scott Bland | May 15, 2013

Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, D-Hawaii, may not be running for governor of her state, but she's still running against Gov. Neil Abercrombie as she gears up for a 2014 Senate primary. Nothing official has been worked out yet, but Democratic Sen. Brian Schatz will be able to count on strong support from th...

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.

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.

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.

Why Obama Can Ignore the House of Representatives

Shane Goldmacher | May 9, 2013

By courting senators and shaping public opinion, the president thinks he can pressure lower-chamber Republicans to accept bipartisan compromises.

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.

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 Democrats Starting On The Defensive

Michael Catalini | May 8, 2013

Facing a difficult landscape in 2014, Democrats having trouble recruiting for Republican-held seats.

The Myth of Presidential Leadership

Norm Ornstein | May 8, 2013

It is past time to abandon selective history and wishful thinking, and realize the inherent limits of presidential power.

The Myth of Presidential Leadership

Norm Ornstein | May 8, 2013

It is past time to abandon selective history and wishful thinking, and realize the inherent limits of presidential power.

Mark Sanford's Sex Scandal Survival Guide

Beth Reinhard | May 7, 2013

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

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.

With a Special Election Win, Mark Sanford Completes His Comeback

Alex Roarty | May 7, 2013

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

Obama to Host Dinner for Top House Democrats

Shane Goldmacher | May 7, 2013

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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.

Previewing the Sunday Shows

Christopher Peleo-Lazar | May 3, 2013

This week the Sunday shows are focusing on Syria and the continuing investigation on the Boston Marathon Bombing. The specter of immigration reform will also have a role in the programming. Rep. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., who hasn't ruled out a bid against Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., in 2014, will be on Meet...

How Democrats Could Blow Immigration

Rebecca Kaplan | May 2, 2013

In their zeal to reach an agreement with Republicans, party strategists risk alienating the usually reliable Black Caucus.

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.

Is Obama's Legacy Great Leadership or Bad Breaks? Check the Sports Pages

Ron Fournier | May 1, 2013

An old baseball adage applies to the president: 'The great ones play above the breaks.'

Why Gabriel Gomez (Probably) Isn't Scott Brown

Kevin Brennan | May 1, 2013

The general election matchup in the race to fill Secretary of State John Kerry's old Senate seat is set, and everyone wants to know: Is Republican Gabriel Gomez the next Scott Brown? The short answer: Probably not. The winner of Tuesday night's Republican primary has a compelling backstory, and Rep...

Rahall Won't Run For Senate

Sarah Mimms | April 30, 2013

Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., will soon announce he is running for a 20th term in the House, taking a pass on the race to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Jay Rockefeller, according to a statement obtained by Hotline On Call. "With U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller retiring at the end of this term, it is m...

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.

Mitch McConnell Wants to Be the Republican Party's Chief Tech Innovator

Shane Goldmacher | April 29, 2013

The 71-year-old GOP leader's campaign sees closing the data gap with the Democrats as a key to reelection.

Ed Markey Will Face Gabriel Gomez in Massachusetts Senate Race

Alex Roarty | April 29, 2013

Markey, who has served in Congress since 1976, is the favorite to serve as the state's junior senator.

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.

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.

Schumer Thinks Senate Needs More Than 60 Votes for Immigration to Push House to Act

Shane Goldmacher | April 25, 2013

Just breaking up an expected GOP filibuster of immigration legislation may not be enough.

Mitch McConnell, Super Populist

Reid Wilson | April 25, 2013

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is a staid, understated politician. He doesn't give pulpit-pounding speeches, and he rarely electrifies an audience. That's what makes this video, released today by McConnell's campaign team, so remarkable. Remember those Tim Pawlenty videos folks compared to...

Is Brian Schatz Already Winning Hawaii's Invisible Primary?

Scott Bland | April 25, 2013

A competitive Hawaii Senate race is all but official. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser and other outlets reported Tuesday that Democratic Rep. Colleen Hanabusa has decided to challenge appointed Sen. Brian Schatz and try to make good on the late Sen. Daniel Inouye’s deathbed request that Hanabusa repl...

Round Two for Gun Control May Take a ‘Next Newtown’

Shane Goldmacher | April 24, 2013

A week after gun legislation suffered a stinging defeat in the Senate, an uncomfortable realization has settled over the Capitol that it will likely take another mass shooting or similar tragedy to reignite momentum for gun control.

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.

The 8 Senators Who Hold Immigration Reform in the Balance

Michael Catalini | April 24, 2013

A look at the positioning of key conservative senators and how the legislation is faring with the GOP base.

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.

Max Baucus's Sudden Retirement Puts Pressure on Former Montana Governor

Alex Roarty and Elahe Izadi contributed | April 23, 2013

It's Schweitzer or bust for Democrats as they hope to hold a pivotal Senate seat.

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.

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.

DSCC Outraises NRSC Again in March

Kevin Brennan | April 22, 2013

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee outraised its counterpart, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, for the the third consecutive month, bringing in more than $5.2 million in March, according to figures provided by the committee. The NRSC raised almost $3.2 million for the month....

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.

Previewing the Sunday Shows

Christopher Peleo-Lazar | April 20, 2013

Friday night's capture of the second suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing will be the prominent topic for the Sunday shows, including the national security implications of the attack. Sunday Meet the Press hosts Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin. Face the Nation h...

After Boston Marathon Bombings, What Next For Immigration Reform?

Fawn Johnson | April 19, 2013

“We screwed up. We can’t afford to screw up again,” said Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said on Friday.

Inside the Cover: Who Wants To Run For Congress?

National Journal Staff | April 19, 2013

In this week's National Journal cover story, Shane Goldmacher looks at why anyone would want to run for Congress. In the video above, go inside the story with the author himself.

Why Would Anyone Want to Run for Congress?

Shane Goldmacher | April 18, 2013

How both political parties seduce (and sometimes browbeat) ordinary citizens into seeking a position in the nation’s most despised club.

The Silver Lining in the Gun-Control Defeat

Fawn Johnson | April 18, 2013

Advocates believe that, even though background checks failed in the Senate debate, public sentiment will eventually vindicate them.

Why John McCain Is Barack Obama’s New Best Friend

Jill Lawrence | April 18, 2013

The two have their eyes on history as they transcend years of friction. The upshot could be good for the country.

‘Independent’ in Name Only

Shane Goldmacher and Scott Bland contributed | April 18, 2013

He promised to chart his own course, but a National Journal vote analysis shows that Sen. Angus King of Maine aligns with Democrats.

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.

Why the Senate Vote May Signal 2016 Problems for the Gun Lobby

Ronald Brownstein and Stephanie Czekalinski contributed | April 18, 2013

The outcome of Wednesday’s dramatic Senate vote on expanding background checks simultaneously demonstrated the difficult geography confronting gun-control advocates in the Senate and the potentially daunting math facing gun-rights proponents in the Electoral College.

Reid Appoints Besieged Regulator to Nuclear-Weapons Panel

Amy Harder | April 18, 2013

Late in the evening on Wednesday, one of the busiest and most unnerving times Washington has seen in a long while, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid quietly appointed Gregory Jaczko, a controversial former nuclear-energy regulator to a key but obscure panel.

How Obama Misread the Politics of Gun Control

Josh Kraushaar | April 18, 2013

Reality check: Gun-control opponents hold the upper hand politically in 2014.

Gun Legislation Rejected in the Senate

Fawn Johnson | April 17, 2013

The Senate on Wednesday rejected every single gun-related proposal put before it, even the bipartisan proposal to expand background checks to Internet and gun show sales.

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.

Doctors Badly Want a Prescription for SGR

Margot Sanger-Katz | April 17, 2013

The sustainable growth rate formula that’s used for physician reimbursement under Medicare has been the top priority for doctors’ lobbies for years. The prospect of a permanent “doc fix” matters to them tremendously because it means certainty for physicians who have grown weary of worrying about looming pay cuts year after year.

Democrats Search for Next Move After Major Gun Defeat

Shane Goldmacher | April 17, 2013

After the Senate dealt a blow to one of President Obama’s top second-term priorities, voting down a bipartisan measure to expand background checks on gun purchases, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid pledged that, “This was just the beginning.”

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.

Senate Fundraising Winners and Losers

Scott Bland and Kevin Brennan and Alex Brown and Sarah Mimms | April 17, 2013

The Senate map favors Republicans this cycle, but Democrats are off to a hot fundraising start. Here are our first-quarter winners and losers: Winners: Red State Democrats: To win back the majority, Republicans probably need to unseat a majority of the five Democratic incumbents seeking reele...

In-Cycle Dems Baucus, Begich, Pryor Oppose Background-Check Amendment

Steven Shepard and Scott Bland and Kevin Brennan and Sarah Mimms | April 17, 2013

Three vulnerable Senate Democrats seeking reelection in 2014 joined most Senate Republicans in thwarting the bipartisan amendment mandating background checks for gun purchasers on Wednesday. The amendment -- introduced by Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., along with Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa. -- earned 54 vote...

The 5 Republicans Who Got Away on Background Checks

Elahe Izadi | April 17, 2013

These GOP senators once looked like winnable votes in the gun-control showdown, but this week they emerged in opposition.

11 Things We Learned About Rand Paul at Breakfast

Shane Goldmacher | April 17, 2013

Sen. Rand Paul, the Kentucky Republican and potential GOP candidate for president, chatted with reporters over scrambled eggs and sausage at a breakfast event hosted by the Christian Science Monitor on Wednesday. Here is what we learned.

Senate Sets Wednesday Gun Vote

Shane Goldmacher | April 16, 2013

The Senate showdown on new gun-control legislation is officially set for Wednesday afternoon.

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.

Kingston Outraises Ga. Senate Potentials, As Gingrey Maintains Cash Lead

Sarah Mimms | April 16, 2013

Though he isn't officially in the race yet, Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Ga., leads his colleagues seeking to replace Sen. Saxby Chambliss with an impressive $845,600 haul in the first quarter of the year. But his $1.75 million warchest puts him in the middle of the pack. Rep. Phil Gingrey, who officially...

Lawmakers Seek Answers on Boston Attacks

Stacy Kaper and Billy House and Rebecca Kaplan contributed. | April 16, 2013

Congress is asking lots of questions and getting few answers so far about the Boston attack.

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.

Still a Long Way To Go in Senate On Gun Control

Chris Frates | April 15, 2013

Democrats were feeling pretty good last week after inking a bipartisan agreement on sweeping background checks for gun purchases and getting the votes to begin a Senate debate on new gun restrictions. But now they return to the Capitol at just the beginning of what will be a long, tough road to turn gun legislation into law.

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

Sarah Mimms | April 15, 2013

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

Lindsey Graham Boasts $5.4 Million for Reelection

Sarah Mimms | April 15, 2013

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., will report raising more than $1.1 million in the first quarter of 2013, and ended March with nearly $5.4 million in the bank for his reelection, his campaign tells Hotline On Call. Graham is considered vulnerable to a primary challenge from the right this cycle, partic...

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.

Previewing the Sunday Shows

Christopher Peleo-Lazar | April 12, 2013

A deal on gun control, President Obama's budget proposal and the Senate's Gang of Eight pending immigration proposal are at the top of the Sunday show agenda. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is hitting the airwaves with a "Full Ginsburg," including Univision's Al Punto. Sens. Pat Toomey, R-Pa. and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., will appear on State of the Union and Face the Nation talking about their bipartisan gun control deal. Check out the full listings after the jump.

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.

3 Strong Pro-Gun Arguments to Watch

Fawn Johnson | April 11, 2013

Republicans are raising complex questions about mental health, federal enforcement, and gun-purchase records that deserve the thorough and intense debate they are about to receive.

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.

Report: Democratic Activists Admitted Recording McConnell Meeting

Alex Roarty | April 11, 2013

Members of the liberal group Progress Kentucky told a local Democratic official that they secretly recorded a private conversation between Mitch McConnell and his campaign aides, according to a published report from a local public radio station, a bombshell revelation that, if true, might lead to cr...

Background Checks Take Center Stage in Gun Debate

Fawn Johnson | April 10, 2013

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino wanted background checks when background checks weren’t cool.

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.

The Real Budget Action Won't Come Until Tonight's Dinner With the GOP

Nancy Cook | April 10, 2013

Contrary to popular belief, the real budget action on Wednesday won’t begin until the early evening, when 12 Republican senators are scheduled to arrive at the White House for a private dinner with the president.

Why There's New Hope For Gun Control

Fawn Johnson | April 9, 2013

No matter what happens with the legislation being taken up by the Senate on Thursday, the sheer heft of the gun conversation could itself be a major victory for the gun-control movement.

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.

Did Anyone Bug Mitch McConnell's Office?

Alex Roarty | April 9, 2013

The Kentucky Senate race has taken a turn for the whodunit.

GOP Filibuster of Gun Bill Begins to Fizzle

Shane Goldmacher and Fawn Johnson and Beth Reinhard contributed to this report. | April 9, 2013

The planned GOP filibuster of gun-control legislation was losing steam on Tuesday, as more than half a dozen GOP lawmakers abandoned their conservative colleagues’ effort to block consideration of the bill.

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.

Scott Brown Would Face Obstacles in N.H. Senate Bid

Kevin Brennan | April 6, 2013

When out-of-state politicians travel to New Hampshire, talk of presidential ambitions follows. Former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown's visit to the Granite State on Thursday set off alarms about a different race. Discussing his political future with reporters, Brown wouldn't rule out running against...

The Gun Debate Isn't Over Yet

Chris Frates | April 4, 2013

Even as Republicans threaten a filibuster, there’s fresh hope for compromise.

Why This Democratic Senator Won't Support Same-Sex Marriage

Alex Roarty | April 4, 2013

There are now only four Democratic senators who have not expressed support for gay marriage. Sen. Mark Pryor is likely to stay that way.

The Rubio Trap

Fawn Johnson and Shane Goldmacher | April 4, 2013

Liberal groups have one message for Democrats negotiating with the Florida Republican: Don't give in.

Which Republican Senator Will Support Gay Marriage Next? 5 to Watch.

Elahe Izadi | April 3, 2013

Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins could be the next two to flip.

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.

There Are Now Only 7 Senate Democrats Opposing Gay Marriage

Michael Catalini | April 2, 2013

Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware endorsed gay marriage this morning on Facebook, bringing to seven the number of Democratic senators who have yet to publicly support the issue.

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.

3 Ways Work Visas Could Still Blow Up the Immigration Bill

Fawn Johnson | April 1, 2013

"Future Flow" has always lurked as the ogre that might not be tamed.

Senate Democrats Are Betting on Family Dynasties to Win Red States

Beth Reinhard | March 31, 2013

Senators are hoping that voters will be looking for familiar faces over fresh ones in the 2014 midterms.

Curious Friends: How Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg Can Help Republicans

Elahe Izadi | March 29, 2013

By zeroing in on issues where bipartisanship is possible, Zuckerberg’s political efforts can soften the GOP’s edges.

To Hold Senate Majority, Democrats Target the Most Conservative States in the Country

Michael Catalini | March 29, 2013

With races concentrated in Republican states, party officials are aggressively courting moderate candidates.

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?"

The Secret Republican Plan to Repeal 'Obamacare'

Chris Frates | March 27, 2013

Mitch McConnell knows how to unwind Obamacare. And he doesn't think it's too late to do it.

Judd Won't Run for Senate, Focus Shifts to Lundergan Grimes

Sarah Mimms | March 27, 2013

Ashley Judd will not challenge Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell next year, the actress announced on Twitter this evening. Though speculation has mounted for months that Judd would run for McConnell's seat in her home state of Kentucky, Judd said on Twitter that she is "currently unable to con...

Ashley Judd Is Out, but McConnell Still Needs to Worry

Michael Catalini | March 27, 2013

The actress announced she won’t be running in 2014 against the Senate minority leader.

The Ghost of Paul Simon Haunts Obama

Major Garrett | March 26, 2013

The late Sen. Paul Simon, D-Ill., warned in the '80s and '90s that Democrats would eventually have to cut government in ways they opposed.

Fla. Dems Pray for Crist's Resurrection

Jordain Carney | March 26, 2013

There are more than 4.7 million registered Democrats in Florida, but it looks more and more like only one is a viable -- and willing -- potential candidate to challenge vulnerable Gov. Rick Scott: former GOP Gov. Charlie Crist, who joined the Democratic Party in December. 2010 nominee Alex Sink and...

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.

Clinton Backs Greuel in L.A. Mayor's Race

Courtney McBride | March 25, 2013

Los Angeles mayoral hopeful Wendy Greuel on Monday became the latest beneficiary of Bill Clinton's five-year thank-you tour, when the former president endorsed her over another Democrat in the upcoming runoff election. Greuel, the city's controller, served as a senior advisor at the Department of Ho...

Idaho's Risch Comfortable Ahead of First Reelection Bid

Courtney McBride | March 24, 2013

Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, the most conservative member of the Senate in National Journal’s 2012 vote ratings, may not be a household name in much of America, but he is well known in his home state. Risch held a number of offices in state government, from state senator to lieutenant governor to, bri...

How Democrats Could Finally Win the 'Obamacare' Debate

Jill Lawrence | March 23, 2013

Republicans are enjoying the health law's birthday week. But there's a lot Democrats could say if they got in the game.

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.

What Is a Vote-A-Rama?

David Graham - The Atlantic | March 22, 2013

The old, weird Senate procedure that Harry Reid will use to pass the continuing resolution to fund the government.

Previewing the Sunday Shows

Christopher Peleo-Lazar | March 22, 2013

The Sunday shows will cover a variety of topics this week, from the coming legal fight over same-sex marriage to President Obama's first trip to Israel as president. Check out the full listings: Sunday Meet the Press hosts New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg and NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre Face the Nat...

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