All DC Decoder
Republicans launch new Congress with 'jobs bills.' Will they create jobs?Three Republican-backed bills to approve the Keystone XL pipeline and amend Obamacare would have only a minimal effect on job growth, data suggest.
How Boehner, McConnell are managing their party hard-liners differentlyWhile House Speaker John Boehner denied two members reappointment to a powerful committee, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell meted out no such retribution. The difference lies with how the two chambers work.
Obama cutting mortgage fees for FHA borrowers: Good news for housing market?Insurance premiums will drop for FHA loans, which account for 15 percent of new mortgages. Lower-cost loans could help more Millennials enter the housing market, but some critics are concerned it could destabilize the housing market.
Republicans change budget-math rules. A risky walk on the 'supply side'?The House has adopted 'dynamic scoring' of legislation, which would have congressional economists base tax-revenue forecasts partly on how proposed laws might result in faster or slower economic growth.
With Obama's second veto threat, is bipartisanship with Congress already over?President Obama indicated Wednesday he’d veto a tweak to the Affordable Care Act that would change the law’s definition of the workweek from 30 to 40 hours. This follows the president’s veto threat Tuesday on the Keystone pipeline.
Can Republicans fix Congress? It could be up to these Democrats.Republicans took back the Senate, but still need Democrats to pass legislation. A handful of centrist Democrats could hold enormous sway on key votes in this Congress.
Boehner wins third term as speaker, but will rocky vote hurt ability to lead?On Tuesday, 25 hard-line Republicans voted against John Boehner of Ohio for his third term as speaker – the largest number of in-party desertions in the modern history of voting for the speakership.
Is cheap oil behind Obama's promise to veto Keystone XL bill?President Obama has vowed to veto a bill to approve the Keystone XL pipeline. With oil prices low, the president might not face a backlash, analysts say.
Tax reform: Why it's needed, why it's hard for Washington to get it done.President Obama and the incoming Republican Congress generally agree that tax reform should be a priority for 2015. However, successful reform looks very different from each side of the aisle.
Top Republican Steve Scalise sweats over 2002 speech to white supremacistsSteve Scalise, the No. 3 House Republican, has acknowledged he spoke to a white nationalist group in 2002. But he says he didn't know the group had troubling connections and was founded by former KKK leader David Duke.
Michael Grimm resignation: why Speaker Boehner is cheeringRep. Michael Grimm (R) is resigning effective Jan. 5, after insisting he would stay in Congress despite a guilty plea to felony tax evasion. On Monday, he had a conversation with Speaker John Boehner.
Jeb Bush surges to double-digit lead among 2016 GOP presidential contendersFormer Florida Gov. Jeb Bush broke away from the pack in the latest CNN/ORC poll with a 10-point lead over Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey. But a Rasmussen poll released Monday finds likely Republican voters split on whether they want another Bush in the White House.
Electronic eavesdropping: NSA reports on its privacy violationsResponding to a Freedom of Information lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Security Agency has reported instances when it violated individual privacy. The NSA says ‘the vast majority involve unintentional technical or human error.’
In Obama's Christmas stocking, a bit of good newsA new CNN/ORC poll this week shows President Obama’s approval rating the highest it has been in 20 months, likely boosted by economic good news.
Why two Republicans disagree about virtually everything on CubaSen. Marco Rubio hates President Obama's decision to normalize diplomatic relations with Cuba. Sen. Rand Paul supports it. Senator Paul appears to be out of step with this party but in line with public opinion.
CIA analyst at the center of torture report is outed. She's not 'Maya'In the film 'Zero Dark Thirty' she was known as 'Maya,' the CIA analyst who spent years tracking down Osama bin Laden. Her story is more complicated with its ties to rendition and torture, and now several news outlets have revealed her identity.
Did North Korea just blink over Sony's 'The Interview' hack?President Obama threatens ‘proportional’ response to Sony’s 'The Interview' hack. What might that include, and is it why North Korea now wants to join the US in getting to the bottom of the security breach and terrorist threat?
Obama: Sony 'made a mistake' in pulling 'The Interview'At his final press conference of the year, President Obama discussed his decision to restore ties with Cuba, the Sony hack, the Keystone pipeline, and race in America.
Eight things to know about Jeb Bush's record Jeb Bush, governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007, is actively exploring a run for president. As a member of the Bush political dynasty, Jeb already has a famous name. But what did he do as governor, and what has he done since?
If Congress objects to Obama's move on Cuba, what can it do?President Obama moved Wednesday to reestablish diplomatic ties with Cuba. Many in Congress were not pleased, and there are several ways they can oppose the move.
