All Politics
Gun lobby: Congress doesn't have the muscle to pass gun controlA month after Sandy Hook shootings, lawmakers are scaling back expectations on what can be achieved in Congress on gun control. But Democrats are urging the White House to use executive powers.
Gun debate 101: Time for 'universal' background checks on buyers?Expanded background checks may well be among Vice President Biden's recommended gun policy reforms in response to the Newtown school shootings. They'd be aimed at closing the 'gun show loophole.' Here's what that would mean.- Gun debate 101: Time for 'universal' background checks on buyers?Expanded background checks may well be among Vice President Biden's recommended gun policy reforms in response to the Newtown school shootings. They'd be aimed at closing the 'gun show loophole.' Here's what that would mean.
White House opts not to create a Death Star. But a 鈥榤agic coin鈥�?A number of fanciful ideas on economic policy have been floated in recent weeks. The so-called Death Star idea, officially rejected, was a stimulus plan. The 'magic coin' plot is meant to sidestep a showdown with Congress over the national debt ceiling. Seriously?
Where do big deficits come from? James M. Buchanan had an idea.James M. Buchanan, who died Wednesday, concluded that a government's rules often favor its own expansion. He furthered 'public choice theory,' which says that politicians and others tend to act in self-interest.
Obama's State of the Union speech to be Feb. 12, as more 'fiscal cliffs' loomHouse Speaker John Boehner issued the formal invitation to President Obama on Friday for the State of the Union address, expressing a hope for cooperation in the new year.
Gun control: Biden sees early consensus, but NRA cries foulVice President Joe Biden met with a number of groups Thursday, but the NRA objected to the focus of the meeting it attended. Universal background checks and limits on high-capacity magazines are two ideas emerging.
New federal rule to prevent mortgage crisis: how it affects youThe Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced it's new 'ability to repay' rule that sets guidelines for new mortgages, including limits on debt payments as a portion of income.
Immigration reform in 2013? It has a champion in Corporate America.US Chamber of Commerce President Tom Donohue says he's optimistic that immigration reform can be passed this year and is working with a broad array of partners to make that happen.
Gun control 'dream team' is born: Can it rival NRA for political firepower?Michael Bloomberg and Gabrielle Giffords may help to put a new face on the gun-control movement 鈥� and try to give the NRA a run for its money when it comes to influencing gun policy. But the movement has a fractious history to overcome.
Suddenly, Joe Biden is everywhere. Are prospects for a 2016 run improving?Vice President Joe Biden is leading the gun-control task force and also recently sealed the fiscal-cliff deal. It's possible that his old-school, backslapping style of politicking may be coming back in vogue.
Jacob Lew: Is 'safe' choice for Treasury also a good choice?Jacob Lew is valued by Obama as a Beltway numbers guy able to endure high-stakes budget fights. But some critics worry he won't tackle fast-rising debt. And the Treasury job could demand big duties beyond fiscal strategizing.
NRA coming to White House: Will there be fireworks?On Thursday, the nation's biggest gun-rights organization will be represented at a meeting on gun violence with Vice President Joe Biden. The NRA's presence makes both sides look open-minded.
Debt-ceiling showdown: 4 reasons it's not a replay of 2011 In 2011, Congress and President Obama went to the brink of government default when congressional Republicans balked at raising the nation's debt ceiling. The spring of 2013 appears to have another debt ceiling fight in store. Here are the top four things that have changed.- Debt-ceiling showdown: 4 reasons it's not a replay of 2011 In 2011, Congress and President Obama went to the brink of government default when congressional Republicans balked at raising the nation's debt ceiling. The spring of 2013 appears to have another debt ceiling fight in store. Here are the top four things that have changed.
That didn't take long: AIG decides not to sue US over bailout termsAIG, which said it had been legally bound to consider the interests of shareholders, appears to have concluded that damage to its public image would outweigh any benefits of joining the suit.
Why is Sen. Lindsey Graham now Obama's antagonist in chief?Not long ago, the Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina was seen as a 'maverick' Republican willing to work across the aisle. But there appears to be a clear reason for his rightward shift.
Congress more unpopular than Donald Trump, head liceA new poll shows just how deeply, eye-poppingly unpopular Congress has become. But are voters partly to blame for lawmakers' failures?
Tax reform: If both parties love it, why doesn't it go anywhere?A speech by the an oil industry lobbying group Tuesday showed how interest groups are influencing the process, worried that they could be the big loser in tax reform.
With John Brennan, Obama doubles down on drone strikesPresident Obama wants John Brennan to head the CIA. In the confirmation process, he could face questions from the left and right about his past at the CIA and his vision for the war on terror.
