Topic: U.S. Republican Party
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
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Briefing
IRS 101: Seven questions about the tea party scandal
How the tables have turned: The Internal Revenue Service is the one under the microscope now, as revelations emerged Friday that the agency wrongly targeted conservative groups seeking nonprofit status. Here’s an accounting of what has happened, along with the ramifications.
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Immigration reform bill: Top 8 changes GOP senators want
More than 300 amendments were submitted for possible inclusion in a sweeping immigration reform package – at least 100 of them from two Republicans, Sens. Charles Grassley of Iowa and Jeff Sessions of Alabama. Here are eight notable changes GOP lawmakers want to see in bill, as the Senate Judiciary Committee takes up amendments between now and Memorial Day.
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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.
All Content
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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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Obama's budget offends just about everybody. Is that compromise?
President Obama will unveil his federal budget proposal this coming week. Based on leaked details, the plan already is getting hammered by his own liberal base as well as by Republicans.
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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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Kansas anti-abortion law: How divided can the states get?
States are in an ideological arms race, epitomized by dueling abortion bills floated by legislatures from Kansas to New York. Is this federalism on steroids?
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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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Tax VOX Should the US adopt a territorial tax system?
Backers of a territorial tax system argue that the current worldwide system puts US firms at a competitive disadvantage since they must pay the high US tax rate on repatriated profits earned by their affiliates in low-tax countries, while multinationals based in territorial countries pay only the local tax rate on these profits, Toder writes.
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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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Bill Nelson, Fla. Sen., declares support for gay marriage
Bill Nelson wrote Thursday in a Tampa Bay Times column, 'The civil rights and responsibilities for one must pertain to all. Thus, to discriminate against one class and not another is wrong for me.'
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Why does Washington keep putting off entitlement reform?
Both the White House and Republicans agree that entitlement reform is necessary to rein in federal deficits, but nothing ever gets started. That could change in the weeks ahead.
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Why Obama is taking a pay cut
In solidarity with the federal employees receiving reductions in pay as a result of the sequester, the president has opted to return 5 percent of his salary to the government this year. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel will also return a portion of his salary.
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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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Tax VOX Corporate tax reform is more complicated than politicians think
Corporate tax reform is not a bad idea, Gleckman writes, but it may be harder than either President Obama or key Republicans want to admit.
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SC's ex-Gov. Sanford wins runoff, will face Colbert Busch (+video)
Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has taken another step toward the congressional seat he held for three terms.
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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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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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Connecticut reaches deal on tough gun laws, 3 months after Newtown
Connecticut lawmakers reached a deal, announced in both houses today, that will give Connecticut some of the strictest gun and ammunition regulations in the nation.
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North Korea: US signals strength, but speaks softly
In response to the threats from North Korea's untested young leader, the Obama administration has sought to reassure the US public and allies alike, but without saying very much.
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Opinion: Think you know the Reagan and Bush era? Think again.
Political events in the era of Presidents Reagan and Bush senior have great relevance to today, from budget cuts ('sequestration') to President Obama's agenda. But this history is often remembered incorrectly, or not at all – to the detriment of America's political discourse.
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Senior Catholic clerics weigh in on gay marriage
Religion plays a big role in individual and institutional decisions about same-sex marriage. Senior Roman Catholic clerics spoke out Sunday on TV news shows – expressing love and compassion but holding to the church's opposition to gay marriage.
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Business, labor reach immigration deal on guest workers. Will it stand?
The US Chamber of Commerce and the AFL-CIO have reached a deal on guest workers as a part of comprehensive immigration reform. That was a major issue, but more remain including border security and a pathway to citizenship.
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Gay marriage opinion shift: conservative lawmakers, pundits left scrambling
As public opinion moves in favor of gay marriage, members of Congress find they have to adjust their stance. Conservative pundits are beginning to acknowledge this as well.
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Veterans groups gear up to fight any proposed changes to disability payments
To help reduce the deficit, President Barack Obama has suggested using a different measure of inflation to calculate Social Security benefits, leading to a slower growth rate. Veterans groups worry such a change could apply to disability payments.
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