Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D) of New York, a Catholic, has backed the proposed rule that would force Catholic church-affiliated organizations to offer health plans that cover birth control. But other Catholic Democrats have asked President Obama to back off the rule. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)
8:43 pm ET -The Catholic Church's anger over a proposed federal rule to force church-affiliated organizations to offer health plans covering birth control has provided Republicans with an opportunity – and Democrats with a problem.
Politics (View all)
- GOP threatens huge cuts to unemployment insurance
- Washington State headed toward gay marriage: a sign of shifting attitudes
- Supreme Court on TV? Senate panel advances bill requiring cameras in high court.
- Where does Newt Gingrich go after big losses Tuesday?
- Boehner vows Congress will reverse Obama birth control policy
- Is Ron Paul at turning point in campaign?
- Can American manufacturing really be cornerstone of economic revival?
- Santorum triumphant as election takes another unpredictable swing (+video)
- President Obama hosts White House Science Fair. Did anybody win?
- Could Rick Santorum put Newt Gingrich in the rearview mirror Tuesday?
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Can American manufacturing really be cornerstone of economic revival?
For decades, the US manufacturing sector has shriveled, but President Obama now envisions it as an engine of a revived US economy. The basis of his optimism may be hopes for 'advanced' manufacturing.
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Rick Santorum has been declared the winner in Minnesota and Missouri – by wide margins – and could yet upset Mitt Romney in Colorado. But bigger contests lie ahead.
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President Obama hosts White House Science Fair. Did anybody win?
If championship sports teams are invited to the White House, President Obama reasons, then so should winners of science fairs.
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The Vote
Could Rick Santorum put Newt Gingrich in the rearview mirror Tuesday?
With signs that Newt Gingrich is fading, Tuesday's three caucuses could help Rick Santorum woo anti-Romney conservatives. But many challenges lie ahead.
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Indiana 'right to work' law: what it means for the pro-union Rust Belt
Indiana's new 'right to work' law is the first of its kind in the Midwest. But amid the region's disputed union issues, will the right-to-work law mean more jobs or lower wages for all workers?
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If you sort through the Nevada caucus results, look at this week’s GOP events, and add in a few financial disclosure forms, you can produce a scenario where Ron Paul outlasts others.
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How super PACs are changing the GOP presidential race
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Carl Levin calls Romney's defense budget criticism "just a political statement"
The chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee and senior Senator from Michigan said even with reduced funding, US military has "shown our capabilities, shown our adeptness."
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FCC: Chicago station can drop graphic antiabortion ad during Super Bowl
Antiabortion activist Randall Terry, a write-in candidate for president, demanded that a Chicago station run an ad showing aborted fetuses during the Super Bowl. The FCC ruled against him.
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Roseanne Barr: Is she serious about Green Party presidential bid?
The announcement by Roseanne Barr has given the Green Party the flash of media spotlight it has been lacking as the GOP candidates slog through their primaries.
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Antiabortion activist plans graphic ad for Super Bowl. Can station refuse?
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Susan G. Komen Foundation relents: Planned Parenthood grants restored (+video)
The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation, amid a flurry of controversy, decided to resume grants to Planned Parenthood. Critics say Komen pulled the grants to appease abortion foes.
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The Vote
Did Donald Trump endorse Mitt Romney because of China?
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Money pours into Planned Parenthood. Was Susan G. Komen misunderstood?
Planned Parenthood cited a $250,000 grant from Mayor Bloomberg among thousands of pledges. The Susan G. Komen Foundation said its donations spiked too. But the battle between the two women's organizations has just started.
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Can Facebook IPO help solve a state budget crisis?
The Facebook IPO could bring California as much as $500 million in tax revenues from capital gains. Depending on whom you talk to, that's a significant help or a drop in the bucket.
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The Vote
Does it matter whom Donald Trump endorses?
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The Vote
Why Ron Paul could rally in February caucuses
Ron Paul has been looking forward to February, when caucus states take center stage on the GOP nominating calendar. Caucuses reward loyalty and Mr. Paul has fervently devoted followers.
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The Vote
Mitt Romney's 'poor' choice of words: Who's really struggling in America?
Mitt Romney was in damage-control mode Wednesday after the multimillionaire candidate said he's 'not concerned about the very poor.' He said he's concerned about those who are 'struggling.'
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Obama plan to lower mortgage payments could help, but how much?
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Indiana becomes first Rust-Belt 'right to work' state. Will others follow?
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DC Decoder
How to get House and Senate bills to match up on payroll tax cut?
A conference committee on the payroll tax cut meets Wednesday to try to resolve differences between House and Senate bills. It's the old-fashioned way of coming to agreement, used for barely half the bills in the last Congress.
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Occupy Wall St. nonviolence: Is Oakland the exception or the future? (+video)
Many in Occupy Wall St., including the movement's earliest members, are imploring activists to embrace nonviolence as a core principle. But in Oakland there's talk of a 'diversity of tactics.'
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Michelle Obama: Why is she going on Jay Leno?
Michelle Obama visits Los Angeles Tuesday and Wednesday. Besides two TV appearances, she’ll be at a pair of fundraisers and spotlight a program bringing fresh and healthy food to urban places.
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The Vote
CBO knows its deficit forecasts are too cheery. So what will really happen?
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The Vote
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DC Decoder
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States like to have a big prize to dangle before candidates during the nominating season, as is the case with the Florida primary. But the Republican Party has been pushing for a more proportional system for allocating convention delegates.
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