All DC Decoder
Government shutdown: why new talks in Congress might avert another oneRep. Paul Ryan (R) and Sen. Patty Murray (D) are leading a conference committee to hash out a new federal budget. But everyone knows even a modest compromise won't be easy.
Detroit's bankruptcy woes: five key things to know Detroit is a city in continued crisis, facing, among other things, pending insolvency that would make it the largest US city to declare Chapter 9 bankruptcy. Here are five things to know about the Motor City.
Why did tea partyers surrender? Because January will be different, they say.The government shutdown ended and the debt limit was raised without Republicans getting anything in return. But two things will have changed when the fight resumes next year, tea party lawmakers say.
A new shutdown clock is ticking. Can Washington avoid a rerun?The deal that ended the shutdown funds the government only until Jan. 15.聽Few can imagine another shutdown, but agreement is also hard to see.
Government shutdown over: How big of a hit did the US economy take?Congress's resolution of the government shutdown and debt limit crisis has some upbeat implications, but the fiscal stare-down also did some lasting damage to the US economy.
Debt limit debacle: Who won and who lost?Congress appears to be on its way toward passing a deal that will end the government shutdown and raise the debt limit, at least until next year. But it's tough to find any winners.
Debt showdown: Why Wall Street might be more worried than it appearsThe debt limit showdown appears to be coming down to the wire, but Wall Street has so far shown few signs of panic. But there are reasons for the wait-and-see attitude.
Senate close to deal on budget impasse, but will House pass it?Talks about the government shutdown and debt limit have centered around the Senate recently, but any deal will have to pass a Republican-controlled House with a powerful tea party wing.
Can 'World's Greatest Deliberative Body' fix broken Washington?Senate leaders are meeting Sunday to find a way out the government shutdown and the threat of a first-ever US debt default. They're聽searching for an end to a political crisis that has stalled all other legislative business while driving public opinion of Congress to new lows.
Does Sen. Susan Collins have the best idea for ending the Washington mess?House and Senate met Saturday, looking for ways to solve the budget-and-debt debacle. House members went home, but Senate leaders from both parties kept talking.
Government shutdown: Most Americans blame Republicans. But will it matter in 2014?The last time the government shut down, Republicans were punished at the polls.聽Political history doesn鈥檛 necessary repeat itself, but the GOP should worry about next year鈥檚 elections.
Government shutdown: How Americans are feeling its growing effectsAmong those taking a hit from the government shutdown, now more than a week old,聽are private businesses and their employees, homebuyers and charities, even hunters on federal lands.
Obamacare 101: Why the real deadline is Feb. 15Under Obamacare, the uninsured have until March 31 to be covered and avoid paying a fine. But some technicalities mean that people may have to sign up a month and a half before that.
Republicans hit all-time low in Gallup poll. Is shutdown to blame?In just a month, public approval of the Republican Party has dropped 10 points, from 38 to 28 percent, according to a Gallup poll conducted in the early days of the government shutdown.
Debt ceiling 101: 12 questions about what's going on The US Treasury has warned that as early as Oct. 17 it will no longer be able to cover all the government's rising financial obligations. Here鈥檚 your guide to the debt limit deadline and its implications.
Obama to Republicans: 'We can't make extortion routine'In a press conference, President Obama sends a message to Speaker Boehner: He's happy to talk about anything, but first fund the government and lift the debt ceiling, even for a short period.聽
Beyond Obamacare glitches, some consumers face dramatically higher ratesAs Obamacare begins to roll out, some people who already buy insurance on the individual market are getting cancellation notices 鈥� and offers for coverage at double and triple their old rates.
Obamacare glitches: why they might help end government shutdownObamacare glitches show that the program will collapse, some tea partyers say. So the better strategy in the government shutdown gambit is to push Obama on tax and entitlement reform.
Obama backs Washington Redskins name change: Is it his business?President Obama told the AP that he would support a change for the Washington Redskins if the name offends a 'sizable group of people.'
How many members of Congress does it take to change a light bulb?Joking aside, the real question is 'how many lawmakers does it take to end the government shutdown.' Democrats and a few Republicans constitute a House majority, but Speaker John Boehner is not allowing a 'clean' vote unencumbered by the fight over Obamacare.
