Topic: U.S. Republican Party

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Briefing
IRS 101: Seven questions about the tea party scandal

The Internal Revenue Service is under the microscope now, as revelations have emerged that the agency wrongly targeted conservative groups seeking nonprofit status. Here’s an accounting of what has happened, along with the ramifications.
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.
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.
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.
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

Decoder Wire Did Rand Paul fear-monger in filibuster? (+video)

The emphasis by Sen. Rand Paul on cafe drone strikes on US soil came across to some critics as a lost opportunity to talk about other actual dangers in the expanding use of unmanned aircraft to target terror suspects.
The Vote Why Republicans want a military trial for Osama bin Laden's son in law (+video)

Sulaiman Abu Ghaith, the son-in-law of Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaeda spokesman, now faces a trial in New York. But some Republicans want Abu Ghaith to face a military trial in Guantanamo. Why?
Rand Paul's drone filibuster shakes up Republicans

Sen. Rand Paul's filibuster got results: The White House acknowledged that killing US citizens suspected of being terrorists must follow the rule of law. But it also shook up the Republican caucus.
Decoder Wire Rand Paul rising: Has filibuster made him US political star? (+video)

Some Republicans saw the filibuster performance by Sen. Rand Paul as a morale boost for the party. He aimed to spark a broader discussion about the possible domestic use of armed drones.
Are Congress and Obama moving toward a budget deal?

As the public's patience with partisan politics wears thin, signs in Washington indicate possible movement toward bipartisan budget decision-making. The House passed a bill which would fund government programs through this fiscal year on Wednesday. The Senate is expected to pass a similar measure soon. Also on Wednesday, President Barack Obama invited Republican Senators to dinner.
Attorney General Holder promises more openness about drone attacks (+video)

The White House is under pressure about targeting terrorists with drones, including a filibuster by Sen. Rand Paul. Attorney General Eric Holder told a Senate committee, 'I heard you and the president heard you.'
Jeb Bush's book: more than just a flip-flop on illegal immigration (+video)

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush's changed stance on citizenship for undocumented immigrants fits into a broader repositioning on the issue of immigration – perhaps for a presidential run in 2016.
Decoder Wire Donald Trump invited to speak at CPAC. Is that a good idea?

Donald Trump also spoke at CPAC in 2011, when he was toying with the idea of running for president. This year, CPAC has not extended invitations to GOP Govs. Chris Christie or Bob McDonnell.
Decoder Wire Should President Obama give up golf during 'sequester'? (+video)

The (failed) GOP bid to strip funds for presidential golf trips was just one move in an escalating struggle over Obama's 'sequester' strategy, such as axing popular White House tours.
Chapter & Verse Jeb Bush's book on immigration stirs controversy

In his book, Bush advocates residency for undocumented immigrants but not citizenship – a marked change from his previous, more immigrant-friendly stance.
Focus Is US-Mexico border secure enough? Immigration reform could hinge on answer.

What did the post-9/11 border patrol surge of manpower and equipment achieve? Understanding its successes and failures could be crucial to the new immigration reform effort.
Tax VOX How should the government measure inflation?

Republicans and many economists argue for shifting to a more accurate inflation measure, Gleckman writes, but a new report suggests that move would raise taxes by nearly as much as it would slow Social Security spending over the next decade.
What Congress has to do to avert a late-March government shutdown

Political leaders on both sides of the aisle stressed on Tuesday a commitment to reach a budget deal that avoids a government shutdown after March 27, when funding expires. But they are at the starting line.
Immigration officials tight-lipped about detainee release. What is known?

Here are the basics about the detainee release – from the terminology that immigration officials use to a glimpse into the kinds of people who have been released.
Energy Voices Will Republicans block EPA chief nominee Gina McCarthy?

Gina McCarthy's work with Republican governors could ease her confirmation as head of the Environmental Protection Agency. But her role in expanding regulations on the power industry will draw opposition from some in Congress.
Decoder Wire Is Jeb Bush the Republicans' Hillary Clinton?

The former Florida governor has suggested he might consider a 2016 presidential run. While he'd be formidable, he probably wouldn't clear the Republican field, the way Clinton might for Democrats.
Decoder Wire Would President Romney have prevented the 'sequester'? (+video)

Mitt Romney says he could have done better than President Obama on the sequester. But leadership depends on the balance of power as much as knocking heads.
12-week abortion ban vetoed: Will the legislature override the veto?

A 12-week abortion ban passed both houses of the Arkansas state legislature before being vetoed by Gov. Mike Beebe, who called the law unconstitutional.
Tax revenue to hit record this year. So is spending 'the problem'?

Tax revenue could hit $2.7 trillion, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Conservatives say this means spending cuts are the solution, but the budget numbers tell a more complicated story.
Stocks rise, pushing Dow back near record

Stocks closed up on Wall Street Monday as stock investors largely ignored early concerns about China. The Dow Jones industrial average neared its record closing level.
Decoder Wire 'Sequester' is happening. What does the White House do now? (+video)

The White House repeatedly told Americans that the sequester would be devastating. Now that the cuts are here, President Obama is trying to strike a less-alarming tone.
Editor's Blog Chinese communism: cause or club?

It has long since walked away from its founding principles, but the Chinese Communist Party still has a hammerlock on power in the world's most populous nation. How long will the Chinese people tolerate a ruling clique that can't be voted out of office?
Robert Reich The sequestration nation

The austerity economics on which we’ve embarked is a cruel hoax – Reich writes – cruel because it hurts those who are already hurt the most; a hoax because it doesn’t work.
Ann Romney blames media for Mitt Romney loss (+video)

Ann Romney blames the media coverage for her husband's loss in the 2012 election. Ann Romney says "he wasn't given a fair shake" in the media.
Obama, Republicans maneuver over sequester, government shut-down

Two days after sequester-driven budget cuts went into effect, both sides in the battle – Republican lawmakers and the Obama White House – went into a 'Plan B' of sorts.