All DC Decoder
Campaign kickoff: Can Democrats win on economic populism?In their fight to keep the Senate, Democrats say they can win by pushing to raise the minimum wage and extend unemployment benefits. And they're getting more comfortable defending Obamacare.
Obama budget: 4 things to knowPresident Obama released his budget proposal Tuesday, sending a message about what he would like America to prioritize in the 2015 fiscal year. Here's a summary.
Texas primary opens midterm election season: 3 things to watchThe tea party movement that pushed Sen. Ted Cruz to victory in 2012 is fading in opinion polls: Will it also fade at the ballot box in 2014? And will Hispanic voters turn a red state blue or, at least, purple?
Obama budget trims deficit, but US debt still huge by history's yardstickPresident Obama's budget for fiscal year 2015, released Tuesday, contains good news and not-so-good news. Its forecasts call for falling annual budget deficits, but US debt remains historically high for the long term.
Crisis in Ukraine: What role for Congress in shaping US response?With the White House and Congress mostly in accord on Ukraine, lawmakers are working on loan guarantees and other measures to聽shore up the shaky and nearly bankrupt government in Kiev.
Paul Ryan to propose welfare overhaul. A gift to Democrats?House Budget chairman Paul Ryan (R) has put out a report that blames anti-poverty programs for steering people away from work. In the past, Democrats have been willing to talk some changes, but not now. It's election season.
Crisis in Ukraine: What should US do now?For Washington, the Ukraine question now may be less how to react to Russia's seizure of the Crimean Peninsula as what to do to try to stop further Russian expansionism.
Tax reform: Will election-year noise squelch a serious bid to create jobs?Rep. Dave Camp's proposal on tax reform, seen as irrelevant in election-year Washington, would add 500,000 jobs a year to the US economy, a former CBO director says.
'My Brother鈥檚 Keeper': Obama confronts obstacles facing young men of colorPresident Obama has become increasingly direct in addressing the problems of minority youths. Thursday he announces 'My Brother's Keeper,' an initiative that touches him deeply and personally.聽
New blueprint for US tax reform from Dave Camp: a starting pointGOP Rep. Dave Camp worked three years on a plan for a simpler tax code, in which 95 percent of taxpayers would pay at a 10 percent rate. Many cherished deductions, exemptions, and credits would be cut, setting up battles in Congress. But it's a start.
Would Republican tax reform make the rich richer, like Romney plan?Rep. Dave Camp (R) has a proposal to simplify the US tax code without reducing the share of overall taxes paid by the rich. That can be hard to do, as Mitt Romney found out.
FocusObama's icy relationship with Congress: Can it ever thaw?Tension and gridlock have defined dealings between President Obama and Congress ever since Republicans took control of the House in 2010. Yet big issues, including immigration and weak job growth, remain unresolved.
What?? Congressional approval rating inches upwardLawmakers' approval rating may have ticked up a bit, but most voters remain skeptical 鈥撀爀ven cynical 鈥撀燼bout Congress. The news that most members now are millionaires doesn't help.
Why new Obama budget drops Social Security reform like a hot potatoWith midterm elections and control of the Senate up for grabs, President Obama opted to shelve his 'chained CPI' proposal that would have affected Social Security benefits. Many Democrats welcome the move.
Scott Walker ex-aide's e-mails: how damaging?Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) faces questions over documents depicting aides' illegal campaign activity during his first campaign for governor. Walker himself is not implicated, but the situation tests his mettle as he runs for reelection 鈥� and possibly president.
Trade deals: why Obama is stymied by members of his own partyAs President Obama meets with leaders from Mexico and Canada, it's fellow Democrats at home who are giving him grief on expanded international trade. The looming fall midterms aren't helping.聽
Would a $10.10 minimum wage really cost 500,000 jobs? Obama and CBO at odds.While the White House disputed the CBO's prediction, the overall evidence in the new report did imply that the benefits of the minimum wage hike 鈥� higher income and reduced poverty 鈥� may outweigh the costs.
Will Obama's 'climate resilience fund' help cope with global warming?President Obama's 2015 budget will include $1 billion聽to help communities deal with the effects of climate change. He made the announcement Friday on a visit to drought-stricken California.
Debt ceiling: how John Boehner and the Republicans could end up winnersThe surrender by Speaker John Boehner on the debt ceiling can be seen as a sign of strength. He felt confident enough to buck his own caucus and could be setting the GOP on a stronger footing for the midterm elections.
Debt ceiling: After 'clean' vote, is tea party defeated or emboldened?The ballooning federal debt is the tea party's core issue, and the movement feels abandoned by Speaker John Boehner. One tea party leader's response: 'Back to the barricades.'聽
