All DC Decoder
House's John Boehner folds on debt ceiling. Wimpy or wise move?For weeks, House Speaker John Boehner has been trying to find an add-on to debt ceiling legislation that his caucus could agree to. His problem is that House Republicans were split over which such initiative to adopt.
Why does Rand Paul keep bringing up Monica Lewinsky?Sen. Rand Paul keeps going after Bill Clinton over the Monica Lewinsky affair, no doubt to fend off Democratic attacks on the GOP鈥檚 鈥渨ar on women.鈥� A new poll shows Republicans do have a major problem in how most women perceive their party.
House Republicans near a deal to raise the debt ceilingAfter leveraging the debt ceiling to exact trillions in spending cuts in 2011, House GOP leaders are closing in on a more modest proposal. But it will require help from Democrats to pass.
Debt ceiling 101: eight questions about the latest round Congress has until the end of February to raise the federal government鈥檚 borrowing limit, known as the debt ceiling, or the country risks going into default. How is this time different from the previous rounds of debt ceiling politics? Here鈥檚 a guide, plus the context.
Immigration reform: Boehner says it's down to a matter of 'trust'Speaker Boehner says that what's holding up immigration reform is a 'trust gap' with President Obama. But that doesn't mean the door is shut on action in the House, even in an election year.
Obamacare: 'Job-killer' or freedom from 'job trap'?Debate is raging over how Obamacare will affect the job market, following a report by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Here's what the report actually says.
Jay Leno: a short history of a political playerJay Leno was a must-stop for Washington power players, who often emerged more likable. But his jokes could sting: The Broncos were so ineffective ... 'they were invited to join the Obama administration.' Ouch.
Why all the buzz about Mitt Romney 2016?Mitt Romney and his allies are adamant he won't run for president again. But there are signs it could happen: a humanizing documentary, Chris Christie's woes, and Mr. Romney's active role in public life.聽
Senate Democrats to plot strategy ... with Bill Clinton?Senate Democrats gather Wednesday for a private policy retreat. Obama will be there, of course, but so will former President Bill Clinton. Is Clinton 'message-crafter in chief,' or peacemaker, or something else?
Obamacare to cost economy 2.3 million jobs? Not so fast.A political firestorm erupted Tuesday when the CBO reported that Obamacare could result in many fewer full-time workers in 2021. But the White House insists that's a good thing: Workers will have more choices.聽
Farm bill, check! Is Congress, at last, finding a way to do its work?With Tuesday's Senate vote, Congress sends a long-disputed, $956 billion farm bill to President Obama's desk. That's on top of a recent budget deal, and an omnibus spending bill.
Does slicing $8 billion from food stamps cut to bone or just trim some flabCongress's newly approved farm bill cuts $8 billion from food stamps over a decade, barely 1 percent a year. Low-income households in 16 states will feel the effect the most. Why is that (and answers to other FAQs)?
Oh no! US is near debt ceiling again. So why isn't anyone panicking?Investors are convinced that Congress, after provoking聽a bruising government shutdown in 2013,聽doesn't have the appetite for a confrontation over the debt limit, especially in an election year.
Bridge-gate: Why conservatives are now embracing Chris ChristieChris Christie, embattled by Bridge-gate, is now welcome at CPAC 2014, the annual conservative bash, after getting no invitation last year. Perhaps a case of 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend.'
Obama report card: Mediocre grades, 'more effort needed'Recent polls have not been kind to President Obama as he appears to be losing ground, especially among moderates and independents. Will his second-term agenda, as outlined in his State of the Union address, help him?
Boehner pitches immigration reform at GOP retreat, but not many takersHouse Speaker John Boehner's principles for immigration reform, released Thursday, revived talk that a deal may be possible. While nothing has yet been decided, his caucus still appears to be deeply divided.
Immigration reform 101: How is 'legal status' different from citizenship?House Republicans are considering a list of principles that could guide immigration reform legislation, should they decide to act on the issue. The list includes a pathway to legal status, but not citizenship, for illegal immigrants. Here's the difference.
Immigration reform: Why are House Republicans poised to act now?Immigration reform is a tough issue for House Republicans, who see the need to expand their reach but also could face a conservative backlash. For now, the 'act now' faction is on the offensive.
Chris Christie鈥檚 national popularity tanks, but poll shows room to recoverEmbattled NJ Gov. Chris Christie (R) is down to 35 percent favorability nationally in a new ABC/Washington Post poll. But a quarter of Americans still have no opinion of him.聽- Obama pollster: Press has it wrong on Obamacare pollsIn a meeting with reporters, Obama pollster Joel Benenson also had lots to say about income inequality, immigration reform, and Democratic rising star Wendy Davis.聽
