All DC Decoder
- Boehner pitches immigration reform at GOP retreat, but not many takers
House Speaker John Boehner's principles for immigration reform, released Thursday, revived talk that a deal may be possible. While nothing has yet been decided, his caucus still appears to be deeply divided.
- Immigration reform 101: How is 'legal status' different from citizenship?
House Republicans are considering a list of principles that could guide immigration reform legislation, should they decide to act on the issue. The list includes a pathway to legal status, but not citizenship, for illegal immigrants. Here's the difference.
- Immigration reform: Why are House Republicans poised to act now?
Immigration reform is a tough issue for House Republicans, who see the need to expand their reach but also could face a conservative backlash. For now, the 'act now' faction is on the offensive.
- Chris Christie’s national popularity tanks, but poll shows room to recover
Embattled NJ Gov. Chris Christie (R) is down to 35 percent favorability nationally in a new ABC/Washington Post poll. But a quarter of Americans still have no opinion of him.
- Obama pollster: Press has it wrong on Obamacare polls
In a meeting with reporters, Obama pollster Joel Benenson also had lots to say about income inequality, immigration reform, and Democratic rising star Wendy Davis.
- State of the Union speech: Did Obama give up on Congress? Not exactly.
In the State of the Union address, President Obama called 2014 a 'year of action.' But he made clear he wants Congress to be part of the action. If not, he will act alone, though in limited ways.
- State of the Union speech: what to expect on the issues
This State of the Union address will cover the waterfront, from jobs to Afghanistan, but presidents always throw in a few new nuggets. Obama's big theme this year is income inequality.
- Obama hikes minimum wage for federal contractors: How many will it help?
President Obama's executive order to raise the minimum wage for federal contract workers sets that stage for his State of the Union address Tuesday, which will touch on income inequality.
- Tea party gets Mike Lee to answer Obama. Why he might surprise.
Sen. Mike Lee (R) of Utah will give the tea party response to Obama's State of the Union message Tuesday. He made a name for himself taking on Obamacare, but he's passionate about poverty, too.
- State of the Union: Can Obama get his mojo back?
In the State of the Union address Tuesday night, President Obama will announce an increase in the minimum wage for new federal contract workers – part of his plan to make 2014 a 'year of action.'
- US marijuana policy edges toward acceptance
The US government considers marijuana an illegal drug. But Attorney General Eric Holder says the Justice Department will issue banking regulations for state-approved marijuana businesses.
- Can Republicans win in 2016 by changing their rules?
The Republican National Committee, gathered in Washington, wants to avoid a rerun of 2012, when Mitt Romney was left bruised and broke after the primaries, 20 debates, and a late convention.
- Are the rich getting richer? Take our quiz on inequality and incomes.
The income gap between rich and poor has widened in the United States and in many other advanced economies since the 1970s. The trend makes this a hot political topic at a time when middle-class families feel they are struggling to get ahead, and as some wonder whether inequality is harming economic growth. This quiz tests how big (or narrow!) your own "gap" is when it comes to knowing the economics and politics of income disparities from the French Revolution to the Great Recession.
- Why Republicans are 'playing with fire' on abortion
Last year, the Republican Party said it wanted to be inclusive and welcoming on social issues. But social conservatives issued a resolution Wednesday calling on candidates to speak out against abortion.
- 41 years after Roe v. Wade, abortion foes undaunted
In annual report, National Right to Life Committee applauds antiabortion measures in states, and takes the long view on getting measures through Congress and before the Supreme Court.
- Martin Luther King Jr. and John F. Kennedy: civil rights' wary allies
An old tape recording of Martin Luther King Jr., played in public Monday for the first time, is a reminder that MLK and JFK shared an era and a cause, but were not close allies on civil rights.
- Would a 'third party' protect your phone data better than the NSA?
President Obama wants to limit NSA surveillance of US citizens. One suggestion is that a third party – perhaps telecommunications company themselves – store such metadata for NSA use.
- Gov. Christie’s woes multiply. Time to recover before 2016?
Some Republicans are keeping their distance from Chris Christie as the New Jersey Governor's troubles mount. Can the GOP's 2016 presidential front-runner survive the 'Bridgegate' scandal?
- Bridgegate vs. Benghazi: What's more damaging for 2016?
Chris Christie and Hillary Rodham Clinton both faced bad headlines this week on issues that could affect their presidential prospects. But Governor Christie may have a longer road ahead.