All DC Decoder
Obama's no-win situation on border crisisPresident Obama avoided a photo op with Texas Gov. Rick Perry at the border, scene of a surge of child migrants. But the optics of Obama's trip to Colorado and Texas were still awkward.
Hobby Lobby 101: explaining the Supreme Court's birth control rulingThe Hobby Lobby case decided by the Supreme Court last month sent ripples through the national conversation on women's rights and religion in public life. Here, we explain the basics of what the Supreme Court did.
Border crisis 101: eight things to know about unaccompanied children Here鈥檚 a look at today鈥檚 immigration crisis and how it compares to the recent past.
Candidate pool for Congress is missing moderates, study findsIn state legislatures, long a pipeline for congressional candidates, moderate lawmakers are less likely to run for higher office than are those with hardcore views, a study finds. It's both cause and effect of a more polarized Congress.
Child immigrant crisis: Is it 'emergency' enough for Congress to act?Critics see the child immigrant crisis on the border as President Obama's Katrina moment 鈥� a time when it's crucial to act decisively. But the crisis might not galvanize Congress behind his plan. 聽
Child migrants: Why some in GOP say Obama plan ignores roots of crisisObama's plan to deal with a flood of child immigrants, for which he is seeking $3.7 billion from Congress, does not include reforms to the 2008 child trafficking law seen as a key cause of the current crisis.
$3.7 billion for border crisis: Should GOP insist on spending 'offsets'?Extra funds to deal with the flood of migrant women and children at the US border, which Obama requested Tuesday, must be offset by spending cuts elsewhere, some Republicans argue. Several factors, though, weigh against that approach.
Border crisis 101: What鈥檚 in Obama鈥檚 $3.7 billion proposal?The $3.7 billion emergency proposal includes enhanced border security and care facilities for the children, as well as additional immigration judges.
Export-Import Bank 101: What is it and why is a big political fight brewing?The Export-Import Bank, which helps US companies sell goods abroad, is a form of corporate welfare, Republican critics say. It needs to be reauthorized by Sept. 30.
How Bloomberg's gun control group stacks up against NRAFormer New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg wants his Everytown for Gun Safety to surpass the political influence of the NRA. So the group has unveiled a questionnaire intended to hold members of Congress accountable.
Confidence in the presidency, Congress, and the Supreme Court all plummetsGallup finds that Americans' confidence in all three branches of the US government has fallen, reaching record lows for the Supreme Court and Congress, and a six-year low for the presidency.
What will happen to immigrant kids in border crisis? Obama official evasiveHomeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson refused to directly answer a question Sunday about whether unaccompanied children in the recent flood of illegal immigration will be deported.
Supreme Court limits birth control on religious grounds. What's next?In related decisions this week, the US Supreme Court ruled in favor of a business and a college seeking exemptions on religious grounds from birth control provisions of the Affordable Care Act. Many more such cases are expected.
Hillary Clinton donates big speaking fees to a nonprofit foundation 鈥� her ownHillary Clinton is taking a break from her book tour and speaking schedule. But she鈥檒l be back at it in the fall, very aware that her lead over all potential Republican presidential rivals may be slipping.
Job growth strengthens: Could good news help Democrats hold Senate?In June, the national unemployment rate fell to 6.1 percent. That's good news for Democrats hoping to maintain control of the Senate, but there are caveats.
Supreme Court 101: Top takeaways from big rulings of the termNot since the 1950s has the US Supreme Court handed down so many unanimous decisions 鈥� 65 percent of its 2013-14 cases. There are two explanations for the rise in 9-to-0 rulings.
Supreme Court rules on union dues: what it means for organized laborA Supreme Court decision Monday dealt labor unions a fresh blow at a time when their clout is decreasing. It's a narrow ruling, but unions will have to scramble to cope.
Why Obama's $2 billion border crackdown could have high political costs, tooPresident Obama will ask Congress for $2 billion to help speed the deportation of families and unaccompanied kids crossing the border. This was not his election-year plan.
John Boehner vs. Obama 101: Could plan to sue president work?Speaker John Boehner is introducing legislation to allow the House to sue President Obama for his executive decisions. Legally and politically, its prospects are dim.
Oil export ban 101: Why does US have it? Why is it now easing?Since 1975, Congress has sought to keep domestic crude oil at home, for use by American consumers. Signs are afoot that the Obama administration is ready to ease the ban and let some oil be exported. Here are the basics.
