Topic: U.S. Republican Party

How will NRA respond to the Sandy Hook shooting? (+video)

After a long silence, the NRA plans a press conference Friday morning to address the fresh push for gun controls in the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting.

Political bickering over fiscal cliff persists

Congressional leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, was unable to gain sufficient support to push through his 'Plan B' on Thursday. In order to avoid a recession, Boehner and President Obama aim to reach a deal before January. 

Robert Reich
Fiscal cliffhanger: Obama's unwise concessions

President Barack Obama has returned to making premature and unnecessary concessions to Republicans in the fiscal cliff debate, Reich writes.

Stocks edge up as investors await fiscal cliff deal

Stocks ended higher Thursday despite fiscal cliff uncertainty weighing on stock traders' minds.

Will GOP's 'Plan B' push Obama closer to 'fiscal cliff' deal?

House Republican leaders hope to pass their own 'fiscal cliff' bill Thursday. But Obama and Senate Democrats are solidly against the plan, which could leave the sides no nearer a deal. 

Tax VOX
Fiscal cliff could impact low-income families the most

The fiscal cliff debate thus far leaves the most vulnerable families quite close to the edge, Maag writes.

GOP Senators vow to trim superstorm Sandy aid to $23.8 billion

Senate Republicans have proposed an alternate disaster relief plan for states affected by superstorm Sandy, which would use $23.8 billion- rather than President Obama's proposed $60.4 billion- to fund initial relief.

Decoder Wire
What counts as a tax hike? Not Boehner 'fallback' plan, says antitax group

Lawmakers who vote to let tax cuts lapse for millionaires would not be violating an antitax pledge, says a group led by activist Grover Norquist. House Speaker John Boehner has put forward such a bill, stirring fury of other conservatives.  

Stocks sink as budget deadline nears

Stocks closed down on Wall Street as a year-end deadline nears with no deal in hand to cut the US government's budget deficit. Telecommunications stocks and health care stocks fared the worst.

Social Security: Is reform needed now or not?

Negotiations over avoiding the 'fiscal cliff' have put Social Security back in the news. While the program isn't a money loser for the federal government, its trustees favor acting soon to keep it healthy.

Tax VOX
What changing the consumer price index would mean for taxpayers

The Oath

New Yorker writer and CNN analyst Jeffrey Toobin offers an astute and thorough analysis of the relationship between the Obama White House and the John Roberts-led Supreme Court.

Opinion: Will John Boehner, President Obama master art of humility before 'fiscal cliff'?

John Boehner and President Obama continue their 'fiscal cliff' tussle over tax increases and spending cuts. But negotiating requires a healthy dose of humility. America's Founding Fathers, especially Madison and Franklin, knew this lesson well. We should look to them for guidance.

Obama tapping VP Biden to lead push to curb gun violence (+video)

President Obama will announce on Wednesday that Vice President Joe Biden will lead an effort to come up with policies to address gun violence following the Newtown elementary school shootings last week.

Tax VOX
The toughest obstacles in the budget debate? Entitlements.

Somehow we must find ways to gain control over spending on Medicare and Medicaid, Penner writes.

Benghazi inquiry cites State Department failures (+video)

A new report faults failures within the U.S. State Department for the September attack in Benghazi which left four dead including Ambassador Chris Stevens. These failures may taint Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's record. 

Newtown students return to school (+video)

Students in Newtown, Connecticut, other than those from Sandy Hook Elementary, went back to school on Tuesday. Friday's mass shooting has left the community in recovery mode and politicians around the country rethinking the nation's gun laws. 

The Monitor's top 11 US stories of 2012

From storms to politics, the year was a wild ride. What are the most meaningful US stories of 2012? Here's the Monitor's list, in roughly chronological order.

John Boehner's fiscal 'Plan B': What is it for and can it pass?

With a 'fiscal cliff' deal appearing closer than ever, Boehner offered up a fallback 'Plan B.' It seems designed to make Democrats uncomfortable and provide cover for Republicans ... if they pass it.

Social Security reform: What 'chained CPI' proposal by Obama means

Obama proposes revising the way Social Security benefits get adjusted each year to help retirees cope with inflation, as part of 'fiscal cliff' talks. Here's how 'chained CPI' would alter the status quo.

The Monitor's View: What Kerry, Hagel would bring to Obama diplomacy

Reports of Sen. John Kerry becoming Secretary of State, and Republican Chuck Hagel being tapped for Defense, hint at a new attempt to use 'soft power' in Obama's second term. But will it work?

Obama makes 'fiscal cliff' offer. Are contours of a deal emerging? (+video)

In fiscal cliff negotiations, President Obama is now proposing that tax hikes could begin with households earning $400,000, not the $250,000 that he has long called for.

After Sandy Hook, teachers should be armed, says Texas Gov. Rick Perry (+video)

Texas Gov. Rick Perry  says he supports allowing teachers to carry concealed handguns in schools in the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting. Perry also said that mental health issues should be considered as a way to make schools safer.

Hawaii's Inouye was current longest-serving senator, war hero

As a senator, Inouye became one of the most influential politicians in the country, playing key roles in congressional investigations of the Watergate and Iran-Contra scandals.

Will the Senate pass the $60 billion Sandy recovery bill?

In the midst of debt and deficit negotiations in Washington, politicians are carefully considering all aspects of the proposed billion-dollar superstorm Sandy recovery bill.