All DC Decoder
Meet Ted Yoho, the man leading charge to nullify Obama's immigration actionThe freshman lawmaker from Florida, who ran against 'career politicians' in Washington, is part of the rebellion against GOP leadership. On Thursday, the House passed his bill nullifying the president's executive action on immigration.
House tax break bill shows 'modest' may be Washington's motto in 2015On Wednesday, the House overwhelmingly passed a bill to extend more than 50 tax breaks for millions of individuals and businesses, approving it 378 to 46. But it’s a smaller, more temporary measure than originally hoped for.
Obama and McConnell, one on one: Can they get business done?Incoming Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell heads to the White House Wednesday afternoon to discuss legislative priorities. One issue that could come up is immigration.
Lame duck 101: What to expect from the last days of this CongressCongress returns to address its last items of business before the new Congress elected in the midterms takes over in January. Here are three things to look for.
Rob Portman won’t run for president, but he’s still one to watchSen. Rob Portman of Ohio openly considered a bid for the Republican nomination in 2016. Instead, he'll run for reelection to the Senate. But he's likely to be on the short list for VP.
Ferguson day at the White House: What did Obama accomplish?The president proposes a $263 million three-year program that would, among other items, include funding for up to 50,000 body-worn cameras for police officers.- 12 things to know about Mitch McConnellWhat fraternity did he belong to? Whom did he write his senior college thesis on? Hint: It was another Kentucky senator.
Cover StoryMitch McConnell's big testNow that he's got the power role he's always wanted, the Senate dealmaker must navigate between a rebellious G.O.P. and a legacy-minded president.
Is Chuck Schumer's vision for America realistic?Sen. Charles Schumer is urging Democrats to embrace government as the solution to middle class decline, cronyism, and the destructive forces of technology and globalization. However, polls show that voters' trust of government is at a historic low.
Obama awards Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 people. Who won?Actress Meryl Streep, singer Stevie Wonder, and RFK widow Ethel Kennedy are among the recipients. President Obama is also granting awards posthumously to three civil rights workers slain in Mississippi in 1964.
How Election 2014 humbled the high priests of American politicsWashington's political class – armed with tons of big data – took a beating in the midterm elections. In several ways, that could be a good thing for American democracy.
Obama says he'd be a dinged-up 'used car' in the 2016 presidential raceInterviewed Sunday on ABC, President Obama said he’d be happy to help out in the 2016 presidential race. But he said voters are looking for “that new car smell,” and he may stay on the sidelines as Hillary Clinton and other Democrats go their own way.
Obama’s immigration plan may give him the upper hand for nowRepublicans in Congress are mad as heck about President Obama’s executive order deferring deportation for millions of immigrants in the US illegally. But aside from sharp rhetoric, they haven’t yet figured out what to do about it.
Congress can't sue Obama over immigration action, but governors mightRepublicans looking to undo President Obama's executive action on immigration might look to governors to file a lawsuit. Congress likely doesn't have legal standing to sue.
Obama immigration action: Is it about people, or process?To President Obama, the immigration overhaul he announced in a speech Thursday night is focused on people. To the GOP, the attention of the nation should be focused on how he took action. This tension will define the coming political immigration war.
The ExplainerIs Obama's immigration action legal? A Q&A.Republicans say President Obama's executive action on immigration violates the Constitution. This Q&A explores the legal and political questions raised by the move.
Immigration 101: How Obama's move could echo through WashingtonPresident Obama will please Latinos but could lose support of low-income workers with his immigration move. Republicans face the danger of overreacting – with possible fallout for 2016.
Immigration 101: why public is conflicted on Obama moveNearly 50 percent of Americans oppose President Obama's move to shield millions of illegal immigrants from deportation, a poll finds. But a majority support a pathway to citizenship.
What can Congress do to stop Obama's immigration plan? Not much.Congressional Republicans want to defund President Obama's executive action to shield 5 million undocumented immigrants from deportation. Problem is, they can't.
Immigration 101: Will illegal immigrants now have health coverage?President Obama will deny health benefits to the 5 million people he is shielding from deportation. But these undocumented immigrants have other ways of getting health care.
