All Politics
House tax break bill shows 'modest' may be Washington's motto in 2015On Wednesday, the House overwhelmingly passed a bill to extend more than 50 tax breaks for millions of individuals and businesses, approving it 378 to 46. But it鈥檚 a smaller, more temporary measure than originally hoped for.
Is Obama favoring donors in ambassador appointments? That's nothing new.The Obama administration took some fire Tuesday for choosing a soap opera producer (and successful fundraiser) as ambassador to Hungary. But the president鈥檚 record has been consistent with those of his recent predecessors.
Obama and McConnell, one on one: Can they get business done?Incoming Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell heads to the White House Wednesday afternoon to discuss legislative priorities. One issue that could come up is immigration.
Boehner floats plan to avoid shutdown. But will hardline Republicans go along?The dilemma for the speaker is this: how to avoid a government shutdown while still exerting maximum pressure on President Obama over his 'executive amnesty' for millions of undocumented immigrants.
Sarah Palin weighs in on Ferguson. Was it funny or offensive?Sarah Palin posted an image on her Facebook page over the weekend that immediately went viral, with over 55,000 shares.
Lame duck 101: What to expect from the last days of this CongressCongress returns to address its last items of business before the new Congress elected in the midterms takes over in January. Here are three things to look for.
Rob Portman won鈥檛 run for president, but he鈥檚 still one to watchSen. Rob Portman of Ohio openly considered a bid for the Republican nomination in 2016. Instead, he'll run for reelection to the Senate. But he's likely to be on the short list for VP.
Ferguson day at the White House: What did Obama accomplish?The president proposes a $263 million three-year program that would, among other items, include funding for up to 50,000 body-worn cameras for police officers.
Elizabeth Lauten resigns: Why critics attack first daughters at their perilCongressional aide Elizabeth Lauten resigned Monday after a Facebook post criticizing the teenage daughters of President Obama. If there's one area where most Americans seem united, it's in agreeing that the children of sitting presidents should be off-limits for snide commentary.- Malia, Sasha, and the turkey brouhaha: When is it OK to criticize presidential kids?Sasha and Malia Obama were the subject of criticism for their dress and behavior at the annual turkey pardoning ceremony. How often does criticism of presidential children happen?聽
- 12 things to know about Mitch McConnellWhat fraternity did he belong to? Whom did he write his senior college thesis on? Hint: It was another Kentucky senator.
Cover StoryMitch McConnell's big testNow that he's got the power role he's always wanted, the Senate dealmaker must navigate between a rebellious G.O.P. and a legacy-minded president.
Elizabeth Lauten: GOP staffer who slammed Malia and Sasha Obama resignsWhen first daughters Malia and Sasha Obama acted like teenagers at the White House Thanksgiving turkey pardoning ceremony, it somehow became a big deal on social media. Should children of the president ever be political targets?
Is Schumer right? A top Democrat calls early focus on Obamacare a mistakeSen. Chuck Schumer says that his party 'blew the opportunity' 鈥� and, later, lost the Senate 鈥� when they focused on health-care reform, instead of jobs and helping the middle class.
Turkey wars in Washington: Obama pardons, Boehner brinesPresident Obama invokes executive action to pardon 鈥� or grant 'amnesty' 鈥� to gobbler 'Cheese,' while the speaker of the GOP-controlled House publishes the family recipe to brine and roast his.聽
Is Chuck Schumer's vision for America realistic?Sen. Charles Schumer is urging Democrats to embrace government as the solution to middle class decline, cronyism, and the destructive forces of technology and globalization. However, polls show that voters' trust of government is at a historic low.
White House turkey pardon: Did John F. Kennedy start the tradition?Kennedy didn't actually pardon the turkey, he merely extended its life, producing some great photo ops. It was George H. W. Bush who first offered an actual pardon.
Mitt Romney leads new poll. Three things that tells us.No, Mitt Romney is not running. He聽remembers what running for president (and losing) is like. Still, his strong finishes in presidential polls raise questions about Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton.聽
Can Republicans roll back Obama's executive order? It's hard but not impossibleThere is nothing hindering Republicans from pursuing a response to Obama鈥檚 executive order. But they need聽non-filibusterable, must-pass legislation as leverage to force the president to accept their terms.
Is Chuck Schumer cutting Republicans' attack ads for them?Sen. Chuck Schumer, the third-ranking Democrat in the Senate, suggested during a speech Tuesday that Congress's focus on passing the Affordable Care Act compromised his party's efforts to restore the economy.
