All DC Decoder
- Ashley Judd says no, but Sen. Mitch McConnell can’t rest easy
Ashley Judd brought star power to a potential US Senate run, but she had negatives. Now GOP Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky has to worry about another young woman the Democrats are wooing to run against him.
- How border security 'trigger' could stop immigration reform
Congressional negotiators say immigration reform will need a border security 'trigger' to pass. But agreeing on what counts as 'border security' won't be easy, and could determine whether reform happens.
- 'Obamacare' to drive up health-care premiums? Report sets off firestorm.
The Society of Actuaries says insurance companies will face an average increase of 32 percent for medical claims under reform. That could lead to higher premiums. But the White House is hitting back.
- Tim Johnson retirement boosts GOP hopes to take back Senate
Tim Johnson is the seventh US senator to bow out of a reelection bid in 2014, giving Republicans their best shot to pick up a seat. But conservatives are eager not to elect a GOP moderate.
- Why new law makes North Dakota most anti-abortion state
The fetal-heartbeat law, signed by the governor Tuesday, bans abortion as early as six weeks of gestation. North Dakota is also poised to consider a 'personhood amendment' to its state constitution, which would ban abortion altogether.
- Is border security a 10, or just a 2? Why lawmakers want a rating system.
Immigration reform legislation may hinge on finding a way to assess how secure the border is. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano on Tuesday explained why that metric is complicated.
- Politics of gay marriage: How close is GOP to changing its stand?
While there is some movement on the issue of gay marriage in the GOP, there are more shoes that would need to drop before a sweeping change in the party. But the tension is mounting.
- FocusGun-control debate: How does Bloomberg stack up against the NRA?
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is on a mission to challenge the NRA's longtime sway over gun policies. Here are the strengths each side brings to the gun-control debate.
- Coming out: How Sen. Rob Portman’s gay son charted his path
In a column in Monday's Yale Daily News, Will Portman describes his emotional 'coming out' journey, and how it led his conservative dad, Sen. Rob Portman, to support gay marriage.
- Gay marriage: Why presence of chief justice's lesbian cousin at court matters
The lesbian cousin of Chief Justice John Roberts will attend this week's historic arguments on gay marriage as his guest. Some prominent politicians have changed their stand on gay marriage because of relatives, but for a justice, the impact is unknown.
- On gay marriage, political ground shifts rapidly: Will Supreme Court take note?
The US Supreme Court this week takes up two key gay marriage cases. Public opinion is changing rapidly here – a particular challenge for Republicans trying to rebrand their party.
- Senate's first budget in four years: A chip off partisan gridlock?
Billions in new spending and a $1 trillion tax hike for the wealthy are mainstays of the first Senate budget in four years. It's the polar opposite of the Republican House budget passed this week.
- Obamacare at age 3: Why political battles are exploding anew
Partisan rancor over Obamacare is back amid public confusion over what the law does. But with some Republican governors agreeing to expand Medicaid, the law in time could take on a more bipartisan complexion.
- Could North Korean missiles really hit US military bases?
North Korea threatened Thursday to fire missiles at US bases in the Pacific region in retaliation for US-South Korea joint exercises. While some targets are within range, Pyongyang's longer-range capabilities are unclear.
- Why Joe Biden is still pushing for assault weapons ban
For two days, Vice President Joe Biden has insisted that the assault weapons ban can still pass, even after the Senate dropped it. He has three reasons to keep making noise.
- See, Washington can get along! The government shutdown that didn't happen.
The Senate agreed Wednesday to fund the federal government through the end of the fiscal year. The House is expected to follow suit Thursday. This clears the deck for the bigger battle ahead.
- Dr. Ben Carson: Can rising conservative star really fulfill GOP dreams?
Dr. Ben Carson wowed the crowd at CPAC. But as the renowned neurosurgeon's views become known, he may not be a perfect fit for establishment Republicans.
- Why party-swapping Charlie Crist could be Florida's next governor
A new poll shows ex-GOP Governor Crist – now a Democrat – would crush the deeply unpopular Republican incumbent, Rick Scott, in 2014. For now, at least, Crist's political shape-shifting is an asset.
- Joe Biden upbeat on Pope Francis, but US-Vatican relations not always so rosy
The first US ambassador to the Holy See wasn’t appointed until 1984, when President Reagan broke the ice. Vice President Joe Biden is attending the installation of Pope Francis.
- Does the future of the GOP hinge on gay marriage?
As the Republican Party ponders and argues over its future following recent election losses, one social issue is becoming paramount: same-sex marriage, favored by increasing numbers of young conservatives as well as party operatives.