All DC Decoder
Is Obama really losing the money battle? A fundraising Q&A.President Obama is claiming that Mitt Romney and his allies could outspend him, but the truth (not surprisingly) is a little more complicated. Here is what's known about the money race.
Will Obama's mini-'DREAM Act' produce massive fraud?Republicans, riled that President Obama moved on his own to bar deportation of some young illegal immigrants, caution that the new policy is being implemented without regulations or even much thought on how to prevent fraud.
'Fiscal cliff'? 'Sequester'? Your guide to Congress's code language. Congress knows what it means by terms such as 'fiscal cliff' or 'Simpson-Bowles,' but to many outside the Beltway they may as well be speaking Greek. Here's a translation of Washington's shorthand for budgetary issues now before the country 鈥� with each entry explained in 50 words or less.
FocusIs Congress to blame for a downshifting US economy?Evidence is mounting that the economy is taking a hit because Congress can't 鈥� or won't 鈥� deal with the 'fiscal cliff' looming at year's end. The聽fight on Capitol Hill last summer over the national debt limit also took an economic toll.聽
Congress's dirty secret: behind scenes, it's working to fix problemsMuch of what Congress does this summer will be pure political posturing. But behind the scenes, small groups of lawmakers are trying to chip away at the biggest fiscal issues. 聽
Is health care ruling Obama's 'Read my lips: No new taxes' moment?Republicans are beating up on President Obama because the Supreme Court said the Affordable Care Act is tied to new taxes. But that could be a problem for Mitt Romney given his record in Massachusetts.
How Obama, Romney are spinning court's health-care rulingRepublicans and Democrats are putting their political spin on the US Supreme Court's historic and startling decision on the Affordable Care Act. As they head toward the presidential election, both Barack Obama and Mitt Romney have major challenges in interpreting the law.
Is the Obama health-care law a huge tax increase?Responding to the Supreme Court's historic ruling on the Affordable Care Act, Republicans are refocusing criticism on the tax fallout from health-care reform. Is it a tax hike? Yes. But on whom?
In keeping student loan rates low, Congress sends hidden messageThe House and Senate passed measures to address student loan rates, transportation funding, and flood insurance, showing that when Congress wants to get things done, it can.聽
Health care: What the Supreme Court's ruling means for US consumersThe US Supreme Court ruling to uphold Obama's health-care reform law affects households across America. Millions without insurance are on track to get it. But costs are an unresolved issue.
House holds Eric Holder in contempt: What happens to him now?Republicans say Attorney General Eric Holder is withholding documents that could show a coverup. Democrats say the investigation is a witch hunt. The outcome? Likely, more delay.
Why Republicans see a loss in the Supreme Court as a win at the pollsSupreme Court's 5-to-4 ruling upholding President Obama's health-care law gives Republicans a new case to repeal the law, hammer taxes, and rev up the party base.
Health-care law: How Supreme Court ruling could affect US budgetUS Supreme Court ruling on the health-care reform law's constitutionality will affect more than the making of public policy. It could also swing the federal budget significantly in either direction.
Why NRA wants Congress to vote Attorney General Eric Holder in contemptNRA officials say the Obama administration's 'Fast and Furious' operation began as part of an antigun agenda 鈥� and that lawmakers who don't vote to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt will be held to account in November elections.聽
Health-care reform law: How Supreme Court ruling affects familiesThe US Supreme Court ruling upholding President Obama's health-care reform law carries major import for millions of American families. Notably, many who are uninsured will gain access to health coverage.
How Obama wins on Arizona immigrationThe Supreme Court ruling on Arizona's tough immigration law was essentially a tie. But politically, Obama is the likely winner, as Latinos watch for evidence of racial profiling in the 'show me your papers' provision that the president fought.
Why Washington springs leaks in election seasonGOP lawmakers said Tuesday they don't believe Obama's denials of White House-sanctioned leaks about US efforts to disrupt Iran's nuclear program. Leaking for political purposes has a storied past in Washington.
Supreme Court to rule on health-care reform ... then what?A blow to Obama's health-care reform law could push Democrats to choose between defining the Supreme Court ruling as a principled disagreement between coequal branches of government 鈥� or as mainly partisan.
Is the US tax system fair?The US tax code has almost always been progressive, meaning the richer you get, the higher percentage of your income you have to pay to Uncle Sam. The fight is usually over where to draw tax brackets, though some say it's time to change that.
Poll: Supreme Court ruling on Arizona immigration may alienate Latino votersSixty percent of Latino voters polled in five battleground states said a Supreme Court ruling in favor of the Arizona immigration law would contribute to a hostile environment for immigrants and Latinos.
