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Out of options in debt ceiling talks? Nope, here are five.

How many ways are there to resolve the debt ceiling crisis? Frustration is mounting in both political parties as an Aug. 2 deadline looms to avoid default on America's debt obligations and deficit-reduction negotiations are gridlocked. Still, at least five options for handling the matter have been discussed in recent days and months. Other possible solutions may emerge, but here’s the state of play on the options to date.
Smoke and mirrors in Obama's budget? Five examples of creative accounting.

President Obama's proposed $3.7 trillion dollar federal government budget works some economic magic, from disappearing programs to mystery funding sources.
Here’s a look at five key head-scratchers in the 2012 budget:

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Enjoy tax day 2012, next year could be 'Taxageddon'

Sure, this tax day won't be fun, but a raft of tax cuts are set to expire this year, and with Congress preoccupied by Election 2012, Americans face the prospect of a much bigger tax bill in 2013.
Buffett Rule: Could it backfire on Democrats?

Democrats are campaigning for the Buffett Rule, which would ensure millionaires pay federal taxes at a higher tax rate. But polls show 'fairness' doesn't motivate key independent voters.
No budget? No problem! The strange politics behind a budgetless America.

President Obama has proposed a federal budget. Congress looks sure to ignore it, and Senate Democrats show no desire to pass any budget. It would be the fourth straight budgetless year.
In surprise move, GOP leaders admit defeat in payroll tax battle

House GOP leaders had wanted to offset the cost of a payroll tax extension by spending cuts. But their decision Monday suggests that the political cost of a stalemate was too high.
House to reject debt limit increase. Why that doesn't really matter.

The House is voting Wednesday on a resolution disapproving of a request by President Obama to raise the national debt limit by $1.2 trillion. But the issue actually was resolved last summer.
Obama plan to boost teen employment could be an uphill battle

The national unemployment rate has fallen to 8.6 percent, but the level of teen joblessness has remained high. So, on Thursday, President Obama encouraged the private sector to step up their hiring of young people.
Democrats turn tables on GOP as Boehner relents on payroll-tax deal

House Speaker John Boehner agreed to let the Senate's payroll-tax deal come to the floor for a vote, where it is expected to pass Friday. It was a rare win in a tough year for Democrats.
House rejects payroll-tax deal. Is it now dead?

The House rejected the Senate's temporary payroll-tax deal Tuesday, leaving no clear way out of the impasse. The House wants more discussions, but the Senate says it's done talking.
Three days left: why debt super committee is poised to throw in the towel

By law, the deficit-reducing super committee must deliver a plan to Congress by Wednesday. But the prospects for success are fading to black.
Six days left: Slowly, for super committee, failure is becoming an option

Republicans and Democrats remain far apart on how much tax hikes should contribute to deficit reduction. The deadline for the super committee to reach a deal is next Wednesday.
Economic recovery 'close to faltering,' Ben Bernanke tells Congress

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke offers sobering data to Congress about the weak economic recovery and gives little hope of an imminent turnaround.
Why tax code appears to offer deficit 'super committee' rare common ground

Congress's deficit 'super committee' began its look into reform of the tax code. Despite the partisanship consuming Washington, the $1 trillion in personal and corporate tax breaks buried in the code are an appealing target for both sides.
Tornados, fires, floods: How much will Congress allot for disaster aid?

The House and Senate are far apart on how much to mete out for cleanup and recovery after an unusual streak of natural disasters this year. They don't usually budget for such events.
From jobs plan to tax cuts, can deficit ‘super committee’ handle mission creep?

The bipartisan deficit 'super committee' is charged with finding $1.5 trillion in savings over 10 years. Can it find $450 billion more to fund Obama's jobs plan? Can it find $4 trillion? More?
Rating falls, markets plunge, critics rage. But tea party isn't blinking.

Tea party lawmakers say the S&P's downgrade of the US credit rating and the markets' convulsive reaction on Monday is merely confirmation that they had been right all along.
Debt-ceiling drama just a preview of December?

The debt-ceiling deal passed by the Senate and signed by President Obama Tuesday requires another $1.2 trillion in cuts by December. Compromise might not be any easier then.
Why debt-ceiling deal didn't give stock markets a bigger boost

Congress and the president may in part have wanted a deal on the debt ceiling out of concern for financial markets, but word of an agreement couldn't compete with a dismal July report.
Why John Boehner is determined to pass his doomed debt-ceiling bill

House Speaker John Boehner's debt-ceiling plan won't pass the Senate. Yet he is making huge efforts to ensure it passes the House – including delaying a vote Thursday – because his leadership is at stake.
'Gang of Six' plan hailed as debt-ceiling breakthrough. What's in it?

The proposal by the 'Gang of Six' senators Tuesday draws on ideas from the deficit commission. The middle-of-the-road plan will have to overcome partisan concerns and a lack of time.
Out of options in debt ceiling talks? Nope, here are five.

How many ways are there to resolve the debt ceiling crisis? Frustration is mounting in both political parties as an Aug. 2 deadline looms to avoid default on America's debt obligations and deficit-reduction negotiations are gridlocked. Still, at least five options for handling the matter have been discussed in recent days and months. Other possible solutions may emerge, but here’s the state of play on the options to date.
McConnell's last ditch debt ceiling plan: What's in it for Republicans?

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell proposes a 'last choice option' that would allow President Obama to raise the national debt ceiling without GOP support.
White House insists taxes must be part of the debt and deficit solution

As debt talks shift to Obama, GOP Speaker John Boehner, and Democratic Senate leader Harry Reid, taxes remain the logjam. No one wants to be seen as giving ground on that issue too quickly.
Debt-ceiling bill set to lose in the House. Why bother to vote?

The US House is to vote Tuesday on a bill that would raise the nation’s debt ceiling. But Republicans will oppose it in block, and many Democrats may cast 'no' ballots as well.
Congress stalls out on budget and deficits. What next?

Talks broke down on key fronts this week as an impasse appeared on cutting spending and raising taxes. That leaves bipartisan leadership talks, chaired by Vice President Biden, as the main venue for a deal that could pass both the House and Senate.
Tea party faces unusual opponent in national debt limit battle

Usually natural allies, the tea party and the business lobby are at odds over if and how to raise the national debt limit.