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The Education of Steven Chu

Coral Davenport | January 17, 2013

The Nobel physicist was brought in to transform the energy economy, but faced political battles.

Meet the Folks on the Short List to Replace Energy Secretary Steven Chu

Catherine Hollander and Coral Davenport | January 18, 2013

Several people close to the Obama administration have said that Energy Secretary Steven Chu plans to step down from his job. Bloomberg reported this week that his departure could be announced as early as this week. Here are the candidates on the short list to replace him:

Heitkamp to be Key Energy Voice Among Moderate Democrats

Amy Harder | December 27, 2012

Heidi Heitkamp—the Democrat who surprised everyone and beat her Republican challenger Rick Berg to win the North Dakota Senate seat in this year’s election—will be an important leader in a growing group of moderate Democratic senators hailing from energy-rich states.

Gordon Addressing RPI's Graduating Class

Andrew Joseph | May 23, 2012

Former Rep. Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.), who is now a partner at lobbying firm K&L Gates, is delivering the commencement address at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on Saturday. He will also be receiving an honorary degree, as will representatives of the other two branches of government - Energy...

Obama's Cabinet: 6 Seats Likely to Change

Sophie Quinton | November 8, 2012

President Obama and his staff have been tight-lipped about possible changes to the Cabinet in a second term. But if history is a guide, Obama’s team could see substantial turnover this year: on average, in the five two-term presidencies since World War II, only one of two Cabinet officers have stayed for eight years. Some on the team, such as Education Secretary Arne Duncan, have already publicly said they’ll stick around. Others, including Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, have been more opaque: last summer Shinseki told The New York Times he will “serve at the pleasure of the president.”

Despite Stearns's Loss, GOP's Solyndra Song Will Go On

Amy Harder | August 16, 2012

Despite the surprising primary loss of Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., who led the investigation into Solyndra by House Republicans, the GOP is determined to keep the drumbeat going.

Coal Industry's New Voice in Washington Is Deeply Rooted in Republican Politics

Coral Davenport | November 6, 2012

If there is a war on coal, as many Republicans have alleged in attacking President Obama’s environmental agenda, Robert (Mike) Duncan is the industry’s new general.

Isaac Prompts Loan From Petroleum Reserve

Amy Harder | August 31, 2012

The Obama administration is loaning 1 million barrels of oil to Marathon Petroleum in the wake of Hurricane Isaac, the Energy Department announced on Friday.

How Obama and Congress Could Find Common Ground on Energy

Coral Davenport | December 6, 2012

The partisan impasse may be about to end on energy policy. Lawmakers and lobbyists say they can envision a grand bargain on energy and climate change that will involve cutting fossil-fuel use and investing in clean energy in exchange for new offshore drilling or approval of the Keystone XL pipeline.

Ryan Backtracks, Acknowledges Stimulus Request

Rebecca Kaplan | August 16, 2012

Vice-presidential candidate Paul Ryan told a Cincinnati television station in an interview airing on Thursday that he “never asked for stimulus” money made available by the Recovery Act, contradicting documents that show he advocated for Wisconsin companies seeking the funds.

So Far, Obama Is Ducking Romney’s Climate-Change Jab

Coral Davenport and Amy Harder contributed | September 3, 2012

Mitt Romney threw down the gauntlet on global warming last week by mocking President Obama’s efforts to fight the effects of fossil-fuel pollution.

BerlinRosen Hires Two for New Washington Office

Andrew Joseph | November 29, 2011

BerlinRosen Public Affairs has hired Stephanie Mueller and Ben Wyskida as senior vice presidents in its national issue advocacy practice. Mueller was most recently Energy Secretary Steven Chu's press secretary and before that was Colorado communications director for the Obama campaign. She'll lead B...

Chu Backtracks on High Gas Prices

Amy Harder | March 13, 2012

Energy Secretary Steven Chu on Tuesday retracted his now-infamous quote from 2008: “Somehow we have to figure out how to boost the price of gasoline to the levels in Europe.”

Chu, Obama and their Secret Handshakes

Olga Belogolova | November 3, 2011

Energy Secretary Steven Chu and President Obama have a secret handshake.

Chu Confident on Loan Guarantee Projects

Amy Harder | February 16, 2012

Energy Secretary Steven Chu said on Thursday that he would be “very surprised” if his department’s loan-guarantee program lost as much as $3 billion when propping up nascent clean-energy technologies.

N2K Presidential: Paul Ryan Debuts in Florida

National Journal Staff | August 17, 2012

The conventional wisdom that has long dictated vice presidential politicking can be boiled down to a pair of hard-and-fast rules. No. 1: Do no harm. No. 2: Never allow the bottom of the ticket to overshadow the top.

Gingrich: Romney 'Not Much of a Front-Runner'

Jim O'Sullivan | March 13, 2012

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who looked positioned to finish second in both the Alabama and Mississippi Republican primaries Tuesday night, used the results to challenge what he called the news media’s manufactured “inevitability” aura around former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

Wyden Calls for Policy on All Energy Exports

Olga Belogolova | March 20, 2012

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., who is poised to claim the top Democratic spot on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee in the next Congress, on Tuesday said that the United States needs to pause and take a look at “something that would resemble an American policy on energy exports.”

Who Might Serve in a Second Obama Administration?

George E. Condon Jr. | November 6, 2012

President Obama may not want many tweaks to his senior staff or his Cabinet in a second term. But, like the past five two-term presidents, he will find that things never stay the same—even if he wants them to.

Arctic Gas Project With Japan Off to Fast Start

Olga Belogolova | May 2, 2012

The Energy Department on Wednesday announced that it has completed a successful test of technology to extract natural gas from methane hydrates found in Alaska's North Slope, kicking off a new joint research effort with Japan aimed at producing more gas from ice-bound formations in the Arctic.

Gas Exporter Talks ‘Energy Business’ With Chu

Amy Harder | March 16, 2012

A top executive whose company is poised to be the first exporter of natural gas from the U.S. mainland in more than 40 years met with Energy Secretary Steven Chu this week, just as concerns over exporting the resource increase both on Capitol Hill and across the country.

Chu: Politics Had No Influence on Solyndra

Amy Harder | November 17, 2011

Energy Secretary Steven Chu insisted at a House hearing on Thursday that politics did not influence Energy Department actions on a $535 million loan guarantee to the solar-energy company Solyndra, which defaulted on the federal loan this summer after filing for bankruptcy.

Obama vs. Romney: Energy

Coral Davenport | August 23, 2012

A look at President Obama's and Mitt Romney's respective energy-policy positions, records, and key advisers.

Chu: Will He Stay or Will He Go?

Coral Davenport and Amy Harder | November 15, 2011

Energy Secretary Steven Chu, on the hot seat over the Solyndra controversy, may be mulling exit strategies.

E-mails Show Obama Fundraiser Involved in Solyndra

Amy Harder | November 9, 2011

Newly released e-mails show that George Kaiser, the Oklahoma billionaire and Obama fundraiser, was much more involved in the administration’s support for Solyndra than the White House and Kaiser have indicated.

QUICK TAKE: E-mails Suggest DOE Put Politics Above Economics With Solyndra

Amy Harder | November 16, 2011

In another e-mail released by House Republicans on Wednesday, the Energy Department was described as putting politics above economics in considering the now-bankrupt Solyndra and its $535 million loan guarantee.

U.S. Releases 30 Million Barrels of Oil From Petroleum Reserve

Coral Davenport | June 23, 2011

Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced Thursday that the U.S. and its partners in the International Energy Agency will release 60 million barrels of oil onto the world market over the next 30 days to offset the disruption in the oil supply caused by unrest in the Middle East. The U.S. will release 30 million barrels of oil from the nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve. The SPR is currently at a historically high level with 727 million barrels, according to the Energy Department.

Mitt Romney: Fire Obama's 'Gas Hike Trio'

Lindsey Boerma | March 18, 2012

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. – Mitt Romney is calling on President Obama to fire his administration’s "gas hike trio," three top Cabinet members whom Romney accuses of being hired to help “skyrocket” gas prices.

Gingrich Says Panetta Should Resign Over Syria Remarks

Sarah Huisenga | March 9, 2012

GULFPORT, Miss. -- Newt Gingrich on Friday called for the resignation of Defense Secretary Leon Panetta after the Pentagon’s top official indicated that the U.S. military would try to seek “international permission” before intervening in Syria. His comments led the Pentagon to emphasize that Panetta would continue consulting with Congress on the issue.

PICTURES: Electric Vehicles Ready for a Joyride

Carrie Mihalcik | April 21, 2011

Energy Secretary Steven Chu has announced a plan to award $5 million to cities that make plans to "deploy electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and charging stations." Here's look at some electric vehicles that could show up on a road near you.

Chu Says Japan Crisis May Top Three Mile Island

Coral Davenport | March 16, 2011

Energy Secretary Steven Chu told Congress that the explosions at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear-power plant “actually appear to be more serious than Three Mile Island,” referring to the 1979 meltdown near Harrisburg, Pa., that led to a three-decade freeze on nuclear-plant construction in the U.S.

Solyndra Hearing Set, Minus Key Witnesses

Amy Harder | September 22, 2011

With embattled Solyndra executives refusing to answer questions at a congressional hearing on Friday, House Republicans are turning their investigation back to the Obama administration.

Previewing The Sunday Shows

Amanda Munoz-Temple | March 18, 2011

This Sunday, Energy Secretary Steven Chu will hit all five morning programs to discuss what the nuclear crisis in Japan means for the U.S., how it will affect the future of nuclear energy in this country and what the Obama administration is doing to monitor the situation. "Meet the Press" feature...

Solyndra Executives Refuse to Testify Before House Panel

Amy Harder | September 23, 2011

The beleaguered top executives of failed solar firm Solyndra refused to answer any questions on Friday at what had been a highly anticipated House hearing to probe the company’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, an FBI investigation, and the $535 million in federal loan guarantees the start-up received from the Obama administration.

Tech CEOs In Washington To Push For Investment, Tax Reform

Josh Smith | March 9, 2011

Nearly 60 executives from TechNet are working the town this week, meeting with leaders in Congress and the Obama administration. TechNet, a network of technology CEOs, will be lobbying to improve education; provide incentives for competitiveness, including tax breaks; and increase investment in cle...

White House Launches Initiative To Encourage Business and Technology Innovation

January 31, 2011

Business leaders joined administration officials Monday to launch an effort to spur more entrepreneurship and innovation. The "Startup America" initiative comes in the wake of President Obama's State of the Union speech in which he announced the plan and urged Americans to "win the future" though i...

White House Orders Independent Review of Energy-Loan Program

Amy Harder and Coral Davenport | October 28, 2011

White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley said on Friday that the administration is ordering an independent analysis of the Energy Department program that gave a $535 million loan guarantee to Solyndra, the bankrupt solar-energy company that is already facing an FBI probe.

White House Releases More Solyndra Docs

Amy Harder | November 11, 2011

It was not a federal holiday on Friday for President Obama’s lawyers dealing with the Solyndra saga.

Nuclear Renaissance? Not So Fast

Olga Belogolova | February 16, 2012

When federal regulators last week approved the first two new nuclear reactors in 34 years, nuclear-power proponents hailed the victory, calling it a “clarion call” signaling the resurgence of a long-dormant industry.

Jindal: Government Lackadaisical on Oil Spill

Althea Fung | November 15, 2010

As the long-term environmental effects of the BP oil spill continue to surface, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) is out with a new book slamming the federal government's response.

Budget Request Previews Campaign Theme

Coral Davenport and Olga Belogolova and Amy Harder | February 13, 2012

If there was any doubt what President Obama’s energy message will be on the campaign trail, his 2013 budget proposal released on Monday helps bring it into focus.

White House Briefing: Obama Still Supports Nuclear Power

Rebecca Kaplan | March 15, 2011

President Obama continues to support the use of nuclear power as part of the U.S. energy strategy, provided that safety measures – such as the constant reviews of nuclear plants around the country – are still being followed, press secretary Jay Carney said at Tuesday’s press briefing.

Energy Dept. Official in Charge of Solyndra Loan Program Leaving

Amy Harder | October 6, 2011

The chief of President Obama’s beleaguered clean-energy loan-guarantee program is stepping down amid a federal probe surrounding the administration’s $535-million loan guarantee to Solyndra, the bankrupt solar manufacturer.

Solyndra Was Banking on Energy Bill, E-Mails Show

Amy Harder | October 5, 2011

Solyndra could still be in business had Congress passed a comprehensive energy bill last year, recently released e-mails indicate.

Fuel for the Fire

Coral Davenport | May 3, 2012

A side-by-side comparison of President Obama's and Mitt Romney's policy positions, records, and key advisers.

Russian President Backs Updated Plutonium Disposal Pact

Global Security Newswire Staff | June 7, 2011

An update to a U.S.-Russian pact on eliminating stockpiled weapon-usable plutonium has received Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's approval, the official Rossiiskaya Gazeta newspaper reported on Tuesday.

N2K Energy: Dems Contradict Themselves on Funding; Solyndra Saga Wears On

September 26, 2011

DEMOCRATS CONTRADICT THEMSELVES ON CLEAN-ENERGY FUNDING. Democrats oppose a Republican plan to take money from clean-energy loan guarantee programs to pay for disaster relief as part of a short-term spending bill to keep the government operating beyond Friday’s end...

Solyndra: ‘Bad Bet or the Tip of the Iceberg?’

Amy Harder | September 14, 2011

As Washington policymakers point fingers over the failure of a single federally backed solar company, the entire renewable-energy industry could end up being the big loser.

For Mitt Romney, Tennessee a State to Watch

National Journal Staff | March 1, 2012

Ohio is getting all the attention as the Super Tuesday state to watch. But come next week, Tennessee could be a very intriguing undercard – and the state that seals Mitt Romney’s good fortune.

FBI Raids Bankrupt Solar Company Solyndra

Amy Harder | September 8, 2011

FBI agents on Thursday raided the now-bankrupt California solar company Solyndra as part of a joint investigation with the Energy Department. Neither agency would comment on the nature of the probe, but House Republicans have requested White House documents on federal guaranteed loans to the solar startup, which once was cited by President Obama as an example of how renewable energy could create jobs.

The Extent of Obama's Solyndra Problem

John Hudson | September 2, 2011

On Wednesday, the bankruptcy of a solar power company in California with political ties to the Obama administration appeared to be a story about the difficulties of nurturing green businesses in a cutthroat economy. Despite receiving a $535 million loan guarantee from the Energy Department, solar st...

Deconstructing Solyndra

Amy Harder | November 22, 2011

To understand the importance of the Solyndra saga, it’s important to understand what’s not important. Here’s a breakdown of what doesn’t matter—and what does.

E-Mails Suggest Solyndra Pushed Layoff Notices Past Elections

Amy Harder | November 15, 2011

A memo released by House Republicans on Tuesday charges that the Obama administration urged the now-bankrupt solar-energy firm Solyndra and its top investor to hold off announcing planned layoffs in 2010 until after the Nov. 2 elections.

Biden Announces Measures to Improve Home Energy Efficiency

Rebecca Kaplan | November 9, 2010

The vice president continues the administration's crusade to create more green jobs at a White House event today.

Officials Have Eye on Nuclear Power's Future

Jim O'Sullivan | March 20, 2011

Calling the worst of the Japanese nuclear crisis possibly over, U.S. officials said on Sunday that the narrow line that stood between the meltdown and a far larger catastrophe had indelibly underscored the need for caution in advancing nuclear energy projects at home.

A Guide to the Federal Government's Holiday Parties

John Hudson, The Atlantic Wire | December 8, 2011

It's not something the federal government likes to admit, but every December the faceless men and women of the U.S. government are allotted a holiday party to toast the year's successes. From department to department and office to office, no federal holiday party is exactly the same.

Energy Budget Holds Major Cuts

Amy Harder and Coral Davenport contributed. | February 11, 2011

President Obama’s proposed 2012 budget for the Energy Department slashes spending for hydrogen and fossil fuel research programs by almost 50 percent and shutters parts of two national labs, according to a fact sheet on DOE’s budget obtained by National Journal.

Obama Signs New START Treaty

Rebecca Kaplan | February 2, 2011

President Obama signed the New START treaty this morning, the last step before the U.S. and Russia swap papers and finalize the nuclear arms treaty.

New Era for Energy Department Expected Under a Secretary Moniz

Coral Davenport | April 8, 2013

With stimulus funding for clean energy at an end, climate-change policy dead in Congress, and harsh budget cuts looming over all agencies thanks to the sequestration, the days of President Obama’s vision of the Energy Department as a green juggernaut have probably come to an end.

Government Races to Close Billions in Renewable Energy Loan Guarantees

Amy Harder | September 15, 2011

The Obama administration is in a race against the clock to close by month’s end more than a dozen renewable-energy loan guarantees totaling $9 billion. Of that, just over $3 billion would come directly from the federal government’s coffers.

Biden: Bad Economy Right Time to Invest in Clean Energy

Coral Davenport | August 30, 2011

Biden on Tuesday equated spending on clean energy during a recession to spending on crucial weapons and technology during a war, previewing a theme likely to recur this fall as the White House and Democrats try to save what’s left of the federal clean-energy budget.

Pundits & Editorials

May 28, 2009

• "Despite the best efforts of" Newt Gingrich, Rush Limbaugh "and others," Sonia Sotomayor's "confirmation process probably won't be about race," Eugene Robinson predicts.

Second Blast at Japanese Nuclear Plant Raises More Concern

Olga Belogolova | March 14, 2011

A second explosion at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex on Monday is further raising concerns for the nuclear industry in the United States and around the world.

Japanese Officials: Nuclear Fuel Rods Appear to be Melting in 3 Reactors

Katy O'Donnell | March 14, 2011

Japanese officials said Monday that nuclear fuel rods appear to be melting inside three reactors compromised by Friday’s earthquake, though nuclear experts differ on whether the outer chamber of a reactor melting in fact constitutes a partial “meltdown.”

NJ Insiders Say All Fuels Should Be Examined for Greenhouse-Gas Footprint

Olga Belogolova | June 21, 2011

Over the last two years, shale natural gas has emerged as a major player in America’s energy mix. President Obama has referred to it as “critical” to the nation’s energy blueprint for the future, and he directed Energy Secretary Steven Chu to form a Natural Gas Subcommittee in his department to examine its extraction practices and their effects on health and the environment.

Obama Makes an Example of Cleveland

Jim Tankersley | February 22, 2011

CLEVELAND—It’s been a particularly bruising year for America’s most-battered civic psyche. LeBron James fled the Cavaliers, who proceeded to lose an NBA-record 26 straight games this season. The Browns missed the playoffs again and fired another coach. The lead sports column in the Cleveland Plain Dealer today pinned the city’s fragile hopes for future happiness on—ouch—a fast start by the Indians.

Battle of the Bulb

Coral Davenport | July 8, 2011

House GOP leaders are ginning up excitement for this week’s high-wattage vote to roll back lightbulb efficiency standards—or, as Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, likes to call it, the “Save the Lightbulb” bill.

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.

Office of Special Counsel: Bush White House Violated Law

Dan Friedman | January 24, 2011

A report by a federal watchdog agency finding that officials in the administration of George W. Bush systematically broke a law against improper political activity in 2006 might intensify questions about the current administration’s dispatching of officials to aid endangered Democrats in the last cycle.

Move to Tap Oil Reserve Has Far-Reaching Implications

Coral Davenport and Olga Belogolova contributed | June 23, 2011

The decision by the U.S. and its partners to release 60 million barrels of oil onto the world market is designed to offset the disruption in supply caused by unrest in the Middle East. But it could have major political ramifications as well.

Top 10

October 22, 2010

THE NEXT SCOTT BROWN? Sean Bielat, the Republican challenger to Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank, raised $650,000 during the first two weeks of October, topping every other House challenger. If he comes from behind to topple the veteran Massachusetts Democrat, Bielat co...

Taking a Long Look at Nuclear Safety

Coral Davenport | March 21, 2011

Is the U.S. prepared for mass evacuations within 50 miles of nuclear plants? Is it even ready for the 10-mile radius currently on the books? A small sample of the questions the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is addressing after Japan's nuclear crisis.

Obama Urges Businesses to Invest in Clean Energy Vehicles

Rebecca Kaplan | April 1, 2011

Continuing with the trend of using public-private partnerships to achieve many of his goals, President Obama announced the National Clean Fleets Partnership to reduce diesel and gasoline use among large companies. The Department of Energy will pair with five charter members of the partnership—AT&T, FedEx, PepsiCo, UPS, and Verizon—to increase the use of electric vehicles, alternative fuels, and fuel-saving measures.

Even Before Obama's Speech, Support Weak on Electric Vehicles

Olga Belogolova | March 30, 2011

Amid an ongoing debate about rising gas prices and increased tensions in Libya and elsewhere in the Middle East, President Obama plans to outline the country’s energy security plan this week, which is sure to include an emphasis on electric vehicles.

EB - Dave

March 17, 2009

• "The Defense Department banned YouTube from its networks, and built a military-friendly video-sharing site to take its place," Wired reports. "But in an odd twist, many military bases are now blocking that new site, TroopTube, as well."

N2K Top 10: On the Road; Crisis Escalates

March 17, 2011

1. ON THE ROAD. President Obama is getting his final pre-trip briefings before he departs Friday on his first visit deep into Latin America. He is set to arrive Saturday morning in Brazil. Later stops are Chile and El Salvador. His goals are modest, simply wanting to communicate th...

'It Doesn't Scare Me Anymore': Three Mile Island's Neighbors on Nuclear Power

Alex Roarty and Amy Harder and Coral Davenport contributed | March 15, 2011

MIDDLETOWN, PA. -- Forty-six year-old Hilde Burgit remembers America’s last nuclear crisis vividly – she was only miles away from the Three Mile Island nuclear plant when it experienced a partial meltdown almost 32 years ago.

N2K Top 10: Not Flying Yet; Greenspan's Thesis

March 14, 2011

1. NOT FLYING YET. Senior American military officials believe that Libyan strongman Muammar el-Qaddafi’s fleet of Russian-made attack helicopters -- and not his warplanes -- poses the biggest challenge to the creation of a no-fly zone over the war-torn country, a p...

Odds Stacked Against Obama’s Clean-Energy Wager

Coral Davenport | February 15, 2011

President Obama’s fiscal 2012 budget request makes a big bet on clean energy, asking Congress for $8 billion in spending to boost electric cars, wind and solar power, clean-energy manufacturing, and development of nuclear reactors.

Mullen: Qaddafi Could Still Stay in Power

Jim O'Sullivan and Tom Madigan | March 20, 2011

As Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen, Energy Secretary Steven Chu, and other top officials make the rounds on the Sunday talk shows on the crises in Libya and Japan, follow National Journal's live blog to stay up to date.

The View From Cancun

Coral Davenport | November 29, 2010

Obama's Budget Holds Billions for Clean Energy

Amy Harder and Olga Belogolova and Humberto Sanchez contributed. | February 11, 2011

President Obama will on Monday propose $8 billion for clean energy investments in his budget plan, and the vast majority of that will go to the Energy Department.

Who Is Ernest Moniz, Obama's Choice for Energy Secretary?

Niraj Chokshi | March 4, 2013

President Obama on Monday nominated MIT professor Ernest Moniz to become the next Energy secretary, succeeding Steven Chu. Here's what you need to know about him.

Top News

July 8, 2010

• "Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham (S.C.) and John Cornyn (Texas) have sided with the state of Arizona in its battle with the Department of Justice over a controversial state immigration law," The Hill reports.

EB - Dave

June 3, 2009

"A last-minute funding snag could leave hundreds of thousands of residents permanently on hold when they try to reach operators at an FCC hotline intended to provide assistance with the June 12 transition to digital television signals," Nextgov reports. "With only nine days to go before the remaining 974 TV stations operating in analog go all-digital, the FCC disclosed today that it needs $10 million to ensure that 4,000 operators are available to handle inquiries through June 22."

South Finds Obama's Cabinet Closed

John Mercurio | March 10, 2009

President Obama's Cabinet meetings will surely feature spirited debates and discussions of pressing issues. There is, however, one thing we're unlikely to hear: a Southern drawl.

Pundits & Editorials

March 4, 2009

• Leading up to the April 2 world summit, the New York Times urges leaders of industrial nations to "quickly work on a plan to provide large-scale financial assistance to avert an economic catastrophe in the developing world."

Top News

February 11, 2009

• "House and Senate leaders on Wednesday struck a deal on a $789 billion economic stimulus bill after little more than 24 hours of rapid-fire negotiations with the Obama administration, clearing the way for final Congressional action later this week," the New York Times reports.

Pundits & Editorials

December 14, 2008

• Despite President-elect Obama's pledge to "banish" lobbyists from the government arena, Robert J. Samuelson argues that an expanded government means more special interests and asserts that the "anti-lobbying bias is mythology."

Top News

November 30, 2009

• "E-mails turned over to the Secret Service show that Tareq and Michaele Salahi had sought a top Defense Department official's help to gain access to last week's White House state dinner," the Washington Post reports.

Top News

January 14, 2010

• "The capital of Haiti lay in ruins Wednesday, shattered by an earthquake it was not built to withstand," the Los Angeles Times reports. "With most international aid yet to arrive, bodies lined the streets, the injured gathered at hospitals devoid of doctors or functioning equipment, swaths of the city were reduced to rubble and even the presidential palace -- long a symbol of whatever stability the country could muster -- was damaged and sagging."

Top News

February 5, 2010

• "President Obama will travel to a Maryland small business on Friday to urge the expansion of two Small Business Administration lending programs," Politico reports. "Revisiting a pledge from his State of the Union address, Obama will call on Congress pass a pair of legislative proposals to get more credit flowing in this slow economic recovery."

Top News

January 22, 2010

• "The tougher approach to financial regulation that President Obama outlined on Thursday reflected a changed political climate, the rebound in big banks' fortunes after their taxpayer bailout and a shift in power within the administration away from those who had been seen as most sympathetic to Wall Street," the New York Times reports.

Top News

January 13, 2010

• "President Barack Obama has invited Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) to the White House for a meeting in the coming weeks, stoking speculation that a Cabinet post may be next for the retiring senator," The Hill reports.

Top News

December 13, 2009

• "Congressional Black Caucus members continued to air their differences with the Obama administration on Sunday," Politico reports. "Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) said that the administration hasn't done enough to target the African-American community when drafting economic recovery plans."

Top News

February 12, 2009

• "Senate Democratic leaders were hoping Thursday night to set a vote on the final version of an economic stimulus bill for" today, "even as Sen. Tom Coburn (Okla.) and other Republicans were insisting on reading the massive measure before voting on it," Roll Call (subscription) reports. "Democrats need the consent of all Senators to bypass time-consuming procedural hurdles, and Senate leaders now believe a vote can be held" this "afternoon or evening."

Two Presidents, Four Secretaries of State Top Hu State Dinner List

Matthew Cooper and Aamer Madhani contributed | January 19, 2011

The state dinner for Chinese President Hu Jintao is a huge affair, so big that it expanded beyond the State Dining Room into the Blue and Red rooms on the first floor of the White House.

Top News

July 27, 2009

• "President Obama opened the first meeting of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue on Monday by declaring that the two countries share a responsibility for the 21st century, and should strive to cooperate not only on economic matters but also on key issues such as climate change, nuclear proliferation and transnational threats," the Washington Post reports. "'The pursuit of power among nations must no longer be seen as a zero-sum game,' he said at the start of the two-day meeting."

Top News

June 3, 2009

• "Quoting from the Quran for emphasis, President Barack Obama called for a 'new beginning between the United States and Muslims'" today "and said together, they could confront violent extremism across the globe and advance the timeless search for peace in the Middle East," AP reports from Cairo. "'This cycle of suspicion and discord must end,' Obama said in a widely anticipated speech in one of the world's largest Muslim countries, an address designed to reframe relations after the terrorists attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and the U.S.-led war in Iraq."

Top News

March 17, 2009

• "White House officials are looking to use an executive-pay provision inserted into the recently passed stimulus law" to recoup $165 million paid to American International Group employees in bonuses, the Wall Street Journal reports. "The administration has seized on language that would allow the Treasury secretary to claw back payments if they were 'inconsistent with the purpose' of the Troubled Asset Relief Program or 'otherwise contrary to public interest.'"

Top News

April 7, 2009

• "Democratic Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley claimed victory" Tuesday night in the Illinois "5th District race to replace Rahm Emanuel in Congress," the Chicago Tribune reports. "With 94 percent of the Chicago and suburban Cook precincts reporting totals, Quigley was ahead with 70 percent of the vote over Republican Rosanna Pulido and Green Party candidate Matt Reichel."

Top News

April 1, 2009

• "Democrats Wednesday might have lost some flexibility in how they approach reconciliation instructions in the FY10 budget resolution when the Senate approved an amendment to prevent the use of reconciliation to pass cap-and-trade legislation that Democrats hope to implement to combat climate change," CongressDailyAM (subscription) reports. "The amendment, passed 67-31, was offered by Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb."

Top News

March 11, 2009

• House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., "said this week that she's keeping the door open for a second stimulus bill. She may be the only one," Politico reports. "An increasing number of economists are saying Congress will need to pump more money into the economy this year. But reaction on Capitol Hill has been almost uniformly negative -- and much of the blowback is coming from Democrats."

Top News

November 5, 2009

• "President Obama promised Native American leaders on Thursday that he would give more than 'lip service' to their concerns, and instructed Cabinet agencies to report back to him within 90 days on plans that would establish 'regular and meaningful consultation' between the federal government and long-ignored tribal nations," the New York Times reports.

Top News

May 18, 2009

• "The Obama administration will announce new mileage standards for vehicles" today "that are intended to greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by cars and trucks," The Hill reports. "Environmentalists heralded the move, which they said would improve fuel efficiency standards that should cut carbon dioxide from tailpipes by 30 percent by 2016."

Top News

April 30, 2009

• "Justice David H. Souter, the Republican-appointed New England jurist who has become a reliable member of the liberal bloc on the Supreme Court, has told friends that he plans to retire, according to a government official," the Washington Post reports.

Top News

April 22, 2009

• "Government officials are expanding their investigation of Quadrangle, the private-equity firm founded by the Obama administration's lead auto negotiator, as new details emerge about an alleged kickback scheme involving the New York state pension fund," the Washington Post reports. "On Wednesday, the New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson Jr. said he is working with the state's attorney general, Andrew M. Cuomo, to determine whether the city's pension funds were 'intentionally misled or deceived.'"

Top News

March 22, 2009

• "Democrats remained undaunted in light of new estimates from CBO that projected the budget deficit would top $1.8 trillion, or 13.1 percent of gross domestic product, under initiatives proposed in the Obama plan," CongressDailyAM (subscription) reports. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., "said that regardless of what was expected in the CBO projections, 'our priorities are the same.'"

Obama's Energy Security Speech: 'There Are No Quick Fixes'

March 30, 2011

The prepared text of President Obama's energy speech, as released by the White House.

Mass Exodus Leaves Obama Administration with Dearth of Diversity

Jill Lawrence | January 18, 2013

The Obama administration is sorely in need of binders full of Latinos.

Top News

September 21, 2009

• "President Obama extended his media blitzkrieg into late-night television Monday, becoming the first sitting commander in chief to appear on 'Late Show With David Letterman,'" the Washington Post reports. "Obama's appearance was largely serious. Letterman asked about Afghanistan, the economy and health care."

Second-Term Exodus Leaves Zero Hispanics in Cabinet, Few on Dems' Bench

Jill Lawrence | January 18, 2013

The Obama administration is sorely in need of binders full of Latinos.

Top News

October 27, 2009

• "The Obama administration is locked in an internal debate over whether to negotiate a new Asian-Pacific free trade partnership," The Hill reports. "If the White House decides to go forward, it would amount to the first new free trade" arrangement "launched by President Barack Obama in a part of the world leading the global recovery. The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) would create a free trade arrangement between the U.S. and Chile, Singapore, Australia, Peru, Brunei and New Zealand."

Top News

October 12, 2009

• "President Obama announced in March that he would be sending 21,000 additional troops to Afghanistan. But in an unannounced move, the White House has also authorized -- and the Pentagon is deploying -- at least 13,000 troops beyond that number, according to defense officials," the Washington Post reports. "The additional troops are primarily support forces, including engineers, medical personnel, intelligence experts and military police."

Inside Obama Administration, A Tug Of War Over Nuclear Warheads

Elaine M. Grossman, Global Security Newswire | August 17, 2009

Vice President Joe Biden in early June blocked a Defense Department bid to revive a defunct program aimed at fielding modern nuclear warheads across the strategic arsenal, according to those familiar with the episode.

Top News

July 15, 2009

• "Before nominating Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court, President Obama did not ask her about abortion rights or any other 'specific legal issue, she testified" Wednesday "as she sidestepped senators' efforts to plumb her views on matters from campaign finance law to the workload of the court she is likely to join," the Washington Post reports.

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.

Who's In and Who's Out in Obama's Cabinet

Catherine Hollander | February 15, 2013

President Obama has chosen many of the candidates for his second-term Cabinet, but he still has eight positions left to fill. Here's a look at which positions are open, the leading contenders to fill them, and the Cabinet choices he has already made.

Complete Transcript of Obama Interview

Ron Fournier and Ronald Brownstein | October 24, 2010

National Journal's Ron Fournier and Ronald Brownstein interviewed President Obama on October 19.

Evacuations Ordered in Japan; U.S. Authorities Weigh In

Sara Sorcher and Katy O'Donnell and Rebecca Kaplan and Lindsey Boerma contributed | March 11, 2011

Here are the latest developments from Japan and other affected areas (all times are Eastern):

Why Christine Gregoire Is Likely to Join Obama's Cabinet

Coral Davenport and Caren Bohan | January 17, 2013

Former Washington governor is on short list for one of three jobs: Energy secretary, Interior secretary, or head of the EPA.

The Perils of Bypassing Congress

Erin Mershon and Catherine Hollander | January 29, 2013

If a president's first term is about reelection, his second is about history. And as President Obama made clear in his inaugural address last week, he is hoping to make history by tackling climate change.

Live-Blogging the U.S. Visit of China's Hu

National Journal Staff and Rebecca Kaplan and Aamer Madhani | January 19, 2011

The latest from Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to the U.S., including notes from the press conference and the lunch menu at the State Department.

Hotline's Last Call!

February 1, 2013

Pres. Obama tells religious nonprofits they don't have to cover contraception; Sec/State Hillary Clinton officially resigns; ex-Sen. Scott Brown (R) says he won't run in MA SEN special; and NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I) may have rethink his position on guns ... as we bid farewell to The Hotline's Last Call!

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...

Reaction From Expert Bloggers

February 24, 2009

Read the full annotated transcript here.

Obama Reshapes Cabinet For a Second Term

Catherine Hollander | January 15, 2013

With Inauguration Day approaching, President Obama is reshaping his Cabinet and White House staff for his second term. In the latest change, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has said he will leave his job at the end of March, creating an opening at the helm of the agency that oversees public lands.

Brennan’s Love-Hate Relationship With Drones

February 8, 2013

CongressWhite HouseNational SecurityPoliticsEnergyEconomy & BudgetHealth Care TOP FIVE JOHN BRENNAN’S LOVE-HATE RELATIONSHIP WITH DRONES. With President Obama’s CIA nominee, John Brennan, in the spotlight this week, Washington is engaged in a big debate over the ethics of covert drone wa...

Immigration Reform Ramping Up This Week

January 28, 2013

CongressWhite HouseNational SecurityPoliticsEnergyEconomy & BudgetHealth Care TOP FIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM RAMPING UP THIS WEEK. Concerted immigration reform efforts begin this week, with President Obama unveiling a proposal and a bipartisan group of lawmakers agreeing on a set of principles...

Kerry's Confirmation Kicks Off

January 24, 2013

CongressWhite HouseNational SecurityPoliticsEnergyEconomy & BudgetHealth Care TOP FIVE KERRY’S CONFIRMATION KICKS OFF. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., will appear before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today, the committee that he chairs, for a hearing on his own confirmation as secretary...

Obama’s Weak Bench

Olga Belogolova | June 21, 2012

The president's wary of telling his story on fossil-fuel production, and his highest-profile surrogates on energy policy are not great messengers.

Meet the Victors: Mapped Minority Members of Congress

Jody Brannon and Doris Nhan | November 5, 2012

The nation's most diverse group of lawmakers is set to take the oath to serve in the House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate during the 113th Congress.

Web Candidate Shakes Up California House Race

Kevin Friedl | May 12, 2009

Emanuel Pleitez is a long shot in the race to fill Labor Secretary Hilda Solis' former House seat, stuck behind two well-connected front-runners. But even among the crowded field of candidates, his campaign stands out for the glimpse it offers into how future congressional races will be won or lost.

House Ratings

February 23, 2012

House members are assigned separate scores for their roll-call votes on key economic, social, and foreign-policy issues during 2011.

NJ Topics Steven Chu

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