All DC Decoder
Abortion report card: Half of states get an 'F' from activist groupAccess to abortion has been whittled back, NARAL Pro-Choice America says in its annual report. But 12 states still deserve an 'A,' and elections can be pivotal in battleground states like Virginia.
Congress unveils $1.1 trillion spending bill: four things it tells usCongress closed the loop on the budget deal reached in December, unveiling a bill that delineates how $1.1 trillion will be spent. Here's four things we learned.
Presidential nominations exhibit A for dysfunctional SenateSenate approval of presidential nominations is a flashpoint in the growing dysfunction and partisan gridlock in the Senate. On Monday, the issue spilled over to the US Supreme Court.
Obamacare youth enrollment lower than expected. Why the optimism?Obamacare needs young Americans to sign up to help offset the costs of less-healthy enrollees. According to a new report, their numbers are low. But experts view the data with optimism.
Has bridge scandal put an end to Gov. Christie's White House dream?Until now, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie led the pack of Republican 2016 presidential hopefuls, and he was running neck-and-neck with Hillary Clinton. But the bridge scandal could end all that.
Chris Christie bridge scandal: Did press conference save his future?A contrite Chris Christie fired a top aide, and issued apologies after learning of his associates' involvement in causing a massive traffic jam in Fort Lee, N.J., last September.聽
Will Obama's 'promise zone' program really help the poor?Presidents have launched such 'place-based' programs before, but it's not clear how effective initiatives like Obama's 'promise zones' have been at lifting the poor communities they're intended to aid.
Fifty years after 'war on poverty': Who's poor now? (+video) Fifty years after the advent of the 鈥渨ar on poverty,鈥� the lives of low-income Americans have improved on many fronts even as the US faces persistent challenges, led by the prevalence of single-parent households. Here are four yardsticks to measure American poverty, then and now.
What would a Republican 'war on poverty' look like, circa 2016?Republicans, especially possible 2016 presidential contenders in 2016, want to change their party's image as unfeeling toward the poor. Here are five ideas from prominent Republicans for helping low-income Americans advance.
Why unemployment benefits twist Republicans into knotsIt looked like Senate Republicans would block the bill to extend emergency unemployment benefits, but it passed narrowly with GOP support Tuesday. A Q-and-A on what's going on.
Is long-term unemployment worse than it appears?The Senate has voted to move forward with debate on renewing emergency benefits for those experiencing long-term unemployment. Some 1.3 million Americans saw such benefits expire on Dec. 28.
Is income inequality as bad as Obama says? In many ways, yes.Rising income inequality in America is a nuanced topic, but the numbers show that the richest 1 percent are doing much better than others, in part because of tax changes and shifts in the economy.
Democrats to push income inequality as top issue of 2014. Winning tactic?The Senate will take up extended unemployment benefits Monday as part of a broader Democratic push to focus on issues on income inequality ahead of the 2014 midterm elections.
Mitt Romney says MSNBC's apology was 'clearly heartfelt'MSNBC host Melissa Harris-Perry apologized for comments on her show about Mitt Romney's mixed-race grandson. Mr. Romney has accepted the apology as 'clearly heartfelt.'
Supporters, opponents gear up for Obamacare election fight in 2014More than 1 million Americans have signed up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. But problems could lie ahead, and that鈥檚 likely to feature in the midterm congressional elections.
Unemployment benefits expiring: Should special help continue beyond 26 weeks?Although unemployment has fallen substantially from its post-recession peak, a historically high number of Americans 鈥� 4.1 million as of November 鈥� have been out of work for more than 26 weeks.
Unemployment benefits 101: What's happening Saturday?The emergency unemployment benefits that have been in place for America's jobless since the recession will end Saturday. Here's a primer on what that means.
Yes, it's the 'least productive Congress' ever, but what does that mean?Members of Congress head home for a break with a slim record of legislation. To some, it's a sign of polarization so extreme that normal functioning is no longer possible. To others, it's an achievement.
Max Baucus exit to China could help Democrats keep SenateA Max Baucus nomination to be US ambassador to China would set up a chain of events that could give Democrats an unexpected boost in two states they risk losing: Montana and Louisiana.
Budget deal cuts benefits to some vets: Heartless or painless?Some Republicans criticized the budget deal passed by the Senate Wednesday because it cuts retirement benefits to some veterans. Military cuts are often tough for Congress to stomach.
