All Politics
Sen. Tom Coburn: How 'Dr. No' helps others say 'yes'The Oklahoma Republican, an outsider's outsider, has become an聽essential player on key issues because if the opposition can cut a deal with Coburn, an unassailable conservative, other conservatives will go along.
Obama budget's big education items: Preschool for All, college Race to the TopPresident Obama's budget proposal gives the Education Department $71.2 billion in discretionary spending for fiscal year 2014. Preschool for All would be funded by a tax hike on cigarettes.
Obama budget changes Social Security: Are Republicans on board?President Obama proposed changes to entitlements including Social Security in his new budget, prompting hopes of a 'grand bargain.' Republicans mixed qualified approval with skepticism.
New cybersecurity bill: Privacy threat or crucial band-aid?The cybersecurity bill was a flash point for privacy advocates a year ago. Now, changes have been made to the bill, which was the focus of a closed hearing Wednesday by the House Intelligence Committee.
Obama鈥檚 budget gambit: Return of the 'grand bargain'?President Obama is for the first time proposing a budget that includes changes to Social Security and Medicare. This infuriates the left but could open the door to compromise with Republicans.聽- Obama鈥檚 budget gambit: Return of the 'grand bargain'?President Obama is for the first time proposing a budget that includes changes to Social Security and Medicare. This infuriates the left but could open the door to compromise with Republicans.聽
Bipartisan deal on background checks: Biggest gun control win yet?Two senators announced a bipartisan deal on a gun control bill that would expand background checks. Its passage is hardly assured, but just the compromise is significant.
Sarah Palin Tesla slap: Elon Musk says he's 'wounded'Sarah Palin Tesla tweet lumps the car maker and its luxury Model S in with other tax-subsided 'losers.' Tesla founder Elon Musk couldn't resist tweeting a response, but he should have.
North Korea missile test: What's a Musudan?If North Korea test-fires a Musudan, it could settle a debate within the expert community about the capabilities of the intermediate-range ballistic missile 鈥� or whether it exists at all.
Six things Obama's budget plan reveals about his prioritiesPresident Obama's $3.78 trillion budget for fiscal 2014 lays out elements of a possible 'grand bargain' with Congress. At the same time, it speaks to his policy priorities.- Six things Obama's budget plan reveals about his prioritiesPresident Obama's $3.78 trillion budget for fiscal 2014 lays out elements of a possible 'grand bargain' with Congress. At the same time, it speaks to his policy priorities.
Cover StoryHow dealmaking gets done on Capitol HillIn the new politics of Congress, deals are no longer fashioned by moderates, who vanished long ago, but by a few lawmakers on the left and right who have the respect, clout, and just enough pragmatism to surmount the culture of division.
Lindsey Graham: The senator who revels in the 'ugly' issuesIf there's a particularly partisan issue, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina is likely to be in the middle trying to find a solution 鈥� in a conservative way.聽
Deals that changed historyA look back at three major pieces of historical federal legislation, started and finished by small groups of men intent on statesmanship.
FocusTax reform: Why a kinder, simpler tax code eludes Congress, so farAs Tax Day nears, Americans in the throes of preparing their returns may be dreaming of a simpler tax code. Here's why tax reform is such a tall order for Congress 鈥� and how two lawmakers are laying the groundwork for it now.- FocusTax reform: Why a kinder, simpler tax code eludes Congress, so farAs Tax Day nears, Americans in the throes of preparing their returns may be dreaming of a simpler tax code. Here's why tax reform is such a tall order for Congress 鈥� and how two lawmakers are laying the groundwork for it now.
Will Senate vote on gun control? Untangling the politics of filibustersThe Senate will hold a vote on gun control legislation Thursday 鈥� but it's only to break a filibuster and allow debate to proceed. Will the bill actually become law? That's a different question.
McConnell campaign on Ashley Judd: Was secret recording legal?Kentucky state law suggests the secret recording of a McConnell campaign strategy session 鈥� posted Tuesday on the Mother Jones website 鈥� could be illegal. The FBI is also getting involved.聽
What hope for diplomacy to defuse North Korea crisis?Any diplomatic resolution to the North Korea crisis depends upon China's priorities and Kim Jong-un himself. Here's why both are difficult to gauge as Secretary of State John Kerry prepares to travel to the region.
Entitlement reform takes step toward reality in new Obama budgetPresident Obama will unveil a budget Wednesday that includes reforms to entitlements such as Social Security and Medicare. The budget probably won't pass, but it points to a shift in the debate.