Topic: Capitol Hill

Top galleries, list articles, quizzes

Marco Rubio & 9 likely Republican VP candidates

Too soon to start speculating about possible Republican vice-presidential candidates? Evidently not. Mitt Romney's rise to the level of presumptive presidential nominee seems to have given political writers and pundits the go-ahead to begin one of the favored handicapping contests in all of politics.
What does the JOBS Act actually do? Six questions answered.

A bipartisan bill known as the JOBS Act, for 'Jumpstart Our Business Startups,' is among the GOP's priorities in Congress. It is targeted at small-business owners, but what would the bill actually do?
Threats to US: Pentagon officials drop three surprises

Pentagon’s key intelligence officials warned of 'current and future worldwide threats' to US national security in a congressional hearing Thursday. Here are three top surprises.
Thirty ideas from people under 30: The Politicians

They are explorers and activists, artists and educators, farmers and faith leaders – even mayors. And they have trenchant suggestions on how to improve the world.
In Pictures: Speakers in support of the MEK

All Content

Robert Reich
How to avoid austerity but still fix the deficit

As Europe has shown us, austerity is bad for weak economies facing large budget deficits. But it can be avoided by getting growth and jobs back first, and only then tackling budget deficits.
Tea party drools over Ted Cruz, but can he survive Texas primary?

Ted Cruz is running for the US Senate seat being vacated by Kay Bailey Huchinson, and in many ways he's the ideal tea party candidate. But his best hope Tuesday is to force a runoff.
Vietnam War: Beginning 13 years of commemorating a divisive conflict

At the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Monday, President Obama began a national commemoration of the 50-year anniversary of the Vietnam War. To Vietnam veterans he said, 'You made us proud, and you have earned your place among the greatest generations.'
Robert Reich
Memorial Day: the defense America needs

The best way to honor Memorial Day is to fund a rational defense budget. That means eliminating arms contracts that enrich contractors without advancing America's defense 
What Congress has planned after Memorial Day

Congress will be racing to complete a number of priorities between Memorial Day and the August recess, all under the shadow of massive fiscal issues looming at year's end.
Decoder Wire
Psst, students. Still hope for low-rate student loans, despite Senate balking

Without a fix, interest on some subsidized federal student loans would double to 6.8 percent starting July 1. But Thursday's Senate votes are still just theater. Expect parties to haggle over the cash until June 29.
Senate committee cuts Pakistan aid over doctor's conviction

After a Pakistani court sentenced the doctor who helped the CIA find Osama bin Laden to 33 years for treason, a US Senate panel voted Thursday to cut aid to Pakistan by $33 million.
Decoder Wire
Is Congress broken? Startup Act shows what can work.

The Startup Act is a modest piece of pro-business legislation unveiled Tuesday. It won't change the world, but that's why it may pass. In a partisan Congress, 'good' may be better than 'perfect.' 
NRC chairman resigns amid battle over lessons from Fukushima

In his three years as chairman, Gregory Jaczko wrangled with other NRC members over the direction of nuclear power plant safety regulations and over his leadership style.
Decoder Wire
Has the tea party sold out? House freshmen aren't who they seem.

A report by the arch-conservative Club for Growth undercuts the notion that freshmen House Republicans are unified – and uniformly committed to the most stringent tea party ideals.
Betty White on safari in Washington for new animal picture book

Actress Betty White goes on safari to Washington National Zoo for her new animal picture book.
Decoder Wire
Democrats return fire after John Boehner's opening debt-ceiling salvo (+video)

Democrats charge that John Boehner's renewed call for spending cuts as a condition to raise the debt ceiling is 'dangerous,' recalling the standoff last summer that drove consumer confidence – and Congress's approval rating – sharply down.
JP Morgan losses send Wall Street back to Capitol Hill (+video)

Congressional critics plan hearings to probe how America's largest bank posted $2 billion in trading losses – and whether new financial regulations, still being implemented, go far enough to rein in Wall Street abuses
Why Richard Lugar defeat scares tea party Republicans, too

House freshmen elected with tea party support see a warning in Sen. Richard Lugar's heavy defeat. If they don't start making progress on the tea party agenda, voters will throw them out.
Student loans: GOP filibuster blocks Senate move to freeze low rates

Student loans will cost more come July 1 unless Congress acts. While both parties say they support extending low rates on federally subsidized loans, election-year politics have intervened.
Austerity votes in Europe show that GOP is wrong, top Democrat says

Austerity agendas in France and Greece resulted in voter rebellions this week. It's a sign that the GOP's austerity program for the US is mistaken, says Democratic Rep. Chris Van Hollen.
Obama 2012 campaign debuts new slogan in video

The Obama campaign revealed its "Forward" slogan in a new seven-minute video. Will this Obama campaign slogan have staying power?
Secret Service now investigating El Salvador trip

The agency is concerned that agents may have hired strippers and prostitutes there as well when the President visited last year.
Decoder Wire
No pattern of partying, skirt-chasing in Secret Service, Napolitano says (+video)

Janet Napolitano, whose department oversees the Secret Service, said Wednesday there is no evidence of a pattern of indiscretion among agents. Nine have left the service in the wake of the recent prostitution scandal.
House Republicans opt for less controversial budget

While the first version of their budget was full of Tea Party zeal, the latest revision makes politically "safer" choices as the general election season heats up.
Secret Service scandal forces delicate touch

No one in either party is entirely comfortable politicizing the agency paid to protect for the President.
Decoder Wire
Obama slow jams the news with Jimmy Fallon. How does that work? (+video)

Start with a late-night funnyman. Add a president. Then, talk about something serious – Obama chose student loans – while Jimmy Fallon's house band, The Roots, lays down a rhythm. Punch it up. Laugh. Then, wait to see how Romney responds.
Romney tries to woo young voters with student loan proprosal

The GOP candidate indicated that he agreed with President Obama that interest rates should remain low.
Prostitution scandal now implicates twelfth member of military

With a dozen Secret Service personnel also implicated, the total number of individuals involved in the prostitution scandal has reached 25.
More firings expected in Secret Service scandal

The chairman of a House committee investigating a Secret Service prostitution scandal predicted more firings as key lawmakers expressed confidence that the agency will effectively deal with the incident.