All DC Decoder
- Beyond Obamacare glitches, some consumers face dramatically higher rates
As Obamacare begins to roll out, some people who already buy insurance on the individual market are getting cancellation notices – and offers for coverage at double and triple their old rates.
- Obamacare glitches: why they might help end government shutdown
Obamacare glitches show that the program will collapse, some tea partyers say. So the better strategy in the government shutdown gambit is to push Obama on tax and entitlement reform.
- Obama backs Washington Redskins name change: Is it his business?
President Obama told the AP that he would support a change for the Washington Redskins if the name offends a 'sizable group of people.'
- How many members of Congress does it take to change a light bulb?
Joking aside, the real question is 'how many lawmakers does it take to end the government shutdown.' Democrats and a few Republicans constitute a House majority, but Speaker John Boehner is not allowing a 'clean' vote unencumbered by the fight over Obamacare.
- Congress 'playing with fire' on debt limit, warns Treasury Secretary Jack Lew
Making the rounds of TV news shows Sunday, Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said failure to raise the US debt limit means 'credit markets could freeze, the value of the dollar could plummet, US interest rates could skyrocket.'
- Most furloughed Pentagon civilians headed back to work
Under the 'Pay Our Military Act' passed just before the government shutdown, most Pentagon civilians are considered essential to military readiness. Defense Secretary Hagel is ordering them back to work.
- Washington at war: Political animosity reaches new, personal level
With no end in sight for the government shutdown, the partisan animosity has gotten unusually bitter and personal, even for Washington. Americans are angry too.
- Will Obamacare get its act together in time?
HealthCare.gov, which under Obamacare is the federally run exchange for 36 states, is still overwhelmed four days after going live. It will undergo 'scheduled maintenance' this weekend, officials announced late Friday.
- Government shutdown: Why Boehner doesn't overrule tea party faction
The tea party faction linking an end to the government shutdown to the defunding of Obamacare comes largely from recently redrawn, bullet-proof Republican districts. They don't hear what Boehner hears.
- Raise the debt ceiling? Not without progress on deficits, US public says.
Some 57 percent of Americans oppose legislation that would raise the debt ceiling with no conditions attached, according to a new Christian Science Monitor/TIPP survey.
- Wendy Davis for Texas governor: why she has a chance
Wendy Davis, who shot to fame with a June filibuster defending abortion rights, announced her campaign to replace retiring Texas Governor Perry. That the seat is open helps an otherwise longshot bid.
- Government shutdown: Default now focus, as Treasury warns of 'catastrophe'
On Day 3 of government shutdown, Democrats and Republicans shift the conversation to the looming debt limit, as chances grow that both issues will be resolved together.
- Government shutdown: How much will it harm the economy?
A government shutdown won't have much of an economic impact if it lasts just a few days, but a prolonged shutdown could become a drag on overall consumer and business confidence.
- Obamacare 101: What college students need to know
College students, like others, can purchase health insurance through the Obamacare exchanges that went live Oct. 1. But many students already have insurance through their parents or schools.
- Obamacare 101: When will the enrollment glitches be fixed?
The launch of enrollment in Obamacare was marred by delays and glitches, though Healthcare.gov still received 4.7 million visitors in 24 hours. The White House says tech support is on the case.