Topic: U.S. Democratic Party
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
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Where do things stand at Guantánamo? Six basic questions answered.
President Obama this week pledged to “reengage” with Congress to find a way to close the terror detention camp at the Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, naval base. The renewed focus comes as 100 of the 166 detainees are reported to be engaged in a hunger strike. Here is a brief look at where things stand now.
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5 steps to bipartisan cuts in Medicare – and the deficit
Medicare is the single greatest contributor to long-term deficits. If Democrats and Republicans cooperate on waste-cutting ideas – many of which are backed by President Obama – both parties stand to gain. Here are five ways Congress should act.
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Briefing
After the 'sequester,' now what?
$85 billion in across-the-board cuts to defense and social programs took effect March 1. The cuts must occur this fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. Here's how things look.
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Four reasons Republicans are embracing the 'sequester'
Republicans, it is clear, are conflicted on the "sequester." How did they come to embrace it? Here are four reasons.
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If not 'sequester,' then what? Five ideas from left and right.
Few in Washington believe that "the sequester,” $85 billion in automatic spending cuts set to hit the federal budget as of March 1, is a good idea. But what's the alternative? Here are five proposals, from the right, the center, and the left, to replace the sequester. Which do you like?
All Content
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Robert Reich Obama budget: Why entitlement cuts are a 'grand bargain' we don't need
President Obama's willingness to negotiate on Social Security – which Democrats have protected from Republican assaults for almost eighty years – doesn’t bode well, Reich writes.
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Obama budget's big education items: Preschool for All, college Race to the Top (+video)
President 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.
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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.
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Energy Voices Obama budget boosts 'green energy,' but no olive branch to GOP
President Obama's budget calls for increased investing in clean-energy technology and the ending of tax preferences for the oil and gas industry. The 2014 budget proposal is in line with the president's 'all-of-the-above' energy policy, but does little to reach across the aisle.
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Deals that changed history
A look back at three major pieces of historical federal legislation, started and finished by small groups of men intent on statesmanship.
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Tax VOX Now is the time to fix Social Security
Most Social Security experts, no matter their political persuasion, know that Social Security must be redesigned, Gleckman writes. With President Obama proposing to change the way government adjusts Social Security benefits, why not redesign it now?
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Entitlement reform takes step toward reality in new Obama budget
President 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.
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Does a Star Wars palace in Italy need the army to protect it?
The Royal Palace of Caserta, which rivals Versailles in size and has appeared in several movies, is in such disrepair and so poorly guarded that the local mayor says the military needs to step in.
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USA Update Newtown family members entreat Congress over need for gun controls
Family members of the children and educators killed in the Newtown, Conn., school shooting are on Capitol Hill Tuesday, lobbying on behalf of Obama's push for gun control legislation.
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Sandy Hook families on Air Force One: why it matters
In an unusual move, 11 family members of Sandy Hook victims will fly with President Obama back to Washington on Air Force One so they can lobby Congress on gun control.
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To Republicans, Margaret Thatcher was first conservative-as-insurgent
Margaret Thatcher, the former British prime minister, embodied much of what inspires US Republicans with her iron-willed stand on the effectiveness of conservative principles.
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Gang of Eight seem on the verge of bipartisan immigration bill
Both Senators John McCain, R-Ariz., and Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. indicated the bipartisan committee working on immigration reform may be close to proposing a bill.
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'President Hillary Clinton?' In mock election, she wallops the competition. (+video)
Political professionals and grassroots supporters are organizing and raising money in case Hillary Clinton runs for the presidency in 2016. So far, she's leading potential opponents of both parties.
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Montana Republicans win wild legislative session, tighten election laws
Despite loud protests and efforts to stall by Democrats, Republican proposals to tighten voter registration and restrict the rights of third parties in general elections passed Friday in Montana.
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Robert Remini dies, leaves legacy as Andrew Jackson scholar
Robert Remini dies: The Andrew Jackson scholar wrote at least 10 books about the former president. Robert Remini also wrote books about Mormon leader Joseph Smith and President John Quincy Adams.
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Liberals to Obama: not so fast on Social Security cuts
The worst fears of progressive groups were confirmed Friday: President Obama's budget will include cuts to Social Security. But the call has gone out, and liberals are fighting back.
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Cuts to Social Security? What Obama is proposing.
In an effort to reach a bipartisan agreement to reduce federal deficits, President Obama is backing a change in the inflation formula used to calculate adjustments in Social Security benefits.
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Sen. Scott Brown ... of New Hampshire? Why it could work.
Former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown raised eyebrows by saying he's 'not going to rule out anything' when asked if he'd run for Senate in New Hampshire. He has a house there.
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Robert Reich Chained CPI for Social Security would hurt seniors
Using a chained consumer price index to adjust Social Security benefits for inflation would make it even harder for seniors to keep up with the cost of health care. So why are Democrats proposing it?
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Gun control: Can Obama use Colorado bully pulpit to accomplish anything?
President Obama is pushing gun control in Denver Wednesday and will do the same in Hartford, Conn., next Monday. It's not clear he can move the public to pressure Congress on gun legislation, but it's worth a try, some say.
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Indiana targets abortion pill: House drops ultrasound provision
Indiana's new abortion pill legislation, passed by the Indiana House today, would limit distribution of the abortion pill.
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Why South Carolina special election is no big deal
With a quirky cast of characters, the special election in South Carolina for a seat in the US House is more idiosyncratic than most – but it's still likely to go Republican.
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Republican Sen. Mark Kirk backs gay marriage: How big a deal?
Sen. Mark Kirk became the second Republican senator in as many months to declare his support for gay marriage. But he's a moderate from a solidly blue state.
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Decoder Wire Caroline Kennedy: Good or bad choice for US ambassador to Japan? (+video)
Caroline Kennedy has largely shunned public political life, spending much of her time working at nonprofit organizations. Is it a good idea to send someone with little diplomatic experience as envoy to an important US ally?
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Focus
Medicare: Could Rep. Paul Ryan's reform plan work?The only big Medicare reform idea that's been pitched in public is called 'premium support,' championed by Rep. Paul Ryan (R). Here's how it would work, and here's why Democrats deride it as a 'voucher.'
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