All DC Decoder
House Benghazi investigation: Who is Trey Gowdy?Trey Gowdy, the new chairman of a special House panel to investigate Benghazi, is a tough questioner and former federal prosecutor with three dogs named Judge, Jury, and Bailiff.
'ObamaCore'? Common Core ed reforms don't scare GOP voters, poll finds.Common Core standards have been derided as a federal takeover of state education by some conservative critics. But a poll shows support for the reforms, even among GOP primary voters.
Are 2014 midterms really a referendum on President Obama?President Obama's name won't be on the ballot this November, though his impact will be felt. Still, there are other factors more central to the parties' prospects when it comes time to vote.
Why this could be make-or-break week for Keystone XL pipelineA decision on the Keystone XL pipeline will likely be delayed until after the November elections unless a bipartisan group of senators succeeds in passing a bill this week.
Can Obama's 'Year of Action' revive his presidency?Republicans in Congress have stymied much of President Obama's agenda. So he's declared a "Year of Action" with a string of presidential executive orders he hopes will help his poll numbers.
House intensifies Benghazi investigations. Why now?Secretary of State John Kerry has been issued a subpoena to testify on Benghazi before the House Oversight Committee. House Speaker John Boehner says he will schedule a vote on the creation of a special Benghazi committee.
Does newly released Benghazi e-mail prove White House misled America?The e-mail in question, from an Obama adviser,聽stressed that explanations for the 2012 attacks on US diplomatic missions in Benghazi, Libya, should center on a YouTube video insulting to Muslims, 'not a broader failure of policy.'
Are people paying their Obamacare premiums? Yes and no.The White House rejects a GOP report saying only two-thirds of the 8 million enrollees have paid their Obamacare premiums. Final numbers are not in, but administration officials point to insurer estimates that 80 to 90 percent have paid.
How do Democrats counter Obamacare? Batter Republicans on minimum wage.Republicans have held vote after vote on Obamacare, partly to stoke the conservative base for this fall's elections. Senate Democrats look set to use the same strategy with a plan to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour. Their first bid failed Wednesday.
Next Obamacare hurdle: Are people getting coverage they paid for?Obamacare glitches these days are not as widespread as they were during the HealthCare.gov rollout. But some hiccups are causing problems in some areas.
Rand Paul vs. GOP establishmentPotential 2016 presidential candidate Sen. Rand Paul is in the Northeast, meeting with Republican operatives and fund-raisers. Conservatives are wary of some of his recent comments.
Cliven Bundy's racist comments: campaign gift to Democrats?Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy's suggestion that blacks were better off as slaves sets back the GOP's efforts to improve its image among minorities. Some top Republicans had backed Bundy in his land dispute.
Election 2014: the most competitive Senate races The Democrats face a challenge in their quest to hold onto the US Senate. Eleven races this year are seen as competitive 鈥� eight seats held by Democrats, three by Republicans. Here鈥檚 the rundown.
Invoking 'Fire Pelosi' from 2010, GOP takes on Harry Reid. Will it work?The GOP is trying to demonize Senate majority leader Harry Reid as a way to defeat vulnerable Democrats and take over the Senate. But the tactic's effectiveness is questionable.聽- How much do you know about Hillary Rodham Clinton? Take our quiz.
Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton is one of the most famous, successful, and polarizing American political figures of her time. She鈥檚 been making news since her college days, when she surprised a commencement audience by attacking keynote speaker Sen. Edward Brooke (R) of Massachusetts with her own student graduation address. She鈥檚 the only former first lady to win election to the Senate and the only former first lady appointed to a Cabinet post.
Now friend and foe alike await her decision about running for the White House in 2016. Do you think you really know Hillary Clinton鈥檚 life story? Take our quiz and see!
Elizabeth Warren memoir: 5 things we learned about liberal hero Liberal darling Elizabeth Warren, freshman Democratic US senator from Massachusetts, released her memoir April 22, 'A Fighting Chance.' Here are five things to know about the book.
Immigration reform: If Obama moves on his own, how big a political risk?President Obama may be ready to ease up on deportations, following reported recommendations under consideration by the Homeland Security secretary. That would please key elements of the Democratic base, but infuriate Republicans.聽
Two Bidens, a presidential selfie, and a big announcement about 2016Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden and his father, Vice President Joe Biden, both made headlines in the past 24 hours. One announced he's running for higher office, and the other took a selfie with President Obama.
Who could be the next Ted Cruz? Top 10 tea party primaries of 2014. Who are the tea party movement's top candidates in 2014, and what are their prospects? Here's a look:
Obama, Biden pitch job training: Do reforms go far enough?Job training is an important component of getting Americans back to work and the economy humming again. President Obama and Republicans offered dueling messages Wednesday.
