All Politics
Why GOP is largely silent over Trump's deficit-heavy budgetPresident Trump has led the Republican Party in surprising directions – away from a balanced federal budget being only the latest. A recent poll indicates that's not a concern to most voters.
Fiscal stimulus is back. So are bigger deficits.A rapid increase in federal debt is likely to push up interest rates and risk choking the current economic expansion. This could lead to a reckoning when debt payments start to pile up after 2019.
First LookTrump signs budget bill, ending overnight shutdownThe five-and-a-half hour federal freeze ended with President Trump signing a $400 billion budget deal, passed in the Senate and the House despite opposition from tea party conservatives and liberal Democrats.
On cusp of budget deal, Congress far from functionalThe extreme efforts involved in simply passing a budget, the most basic job for lawmakers, underscore how broken the process has become on Capitol Hill – a place many members now describe as frustrating and joyless.
First LookRecord number of transgender candidates enter 2018 electionsAn estimated 40 transgender candidates plan to run for office in the upcoming mid-term elections, signaling a tidal shift in LGBT representation in government. Many candidates cite what they see as anti-LGBT policies from the White House as motivation to run.
Memo wars: When secrets get out, what happens next?The release of the Nunes memo and its Democratic rebuttal have the potential to chill relations between the intelligence community and Capitol Hill, make allied intelligence agencies wary about sharing secrets, and amp up demands by defendants to use FISA documents in their trials.
Monitor BreakfastIn Democrats' strategic strike against gerrymandering, Holder leads the chargeAt a breakfast for reporters hosted by The Christian Science Monitor, former Attorney General Eric Holder calls political gerrymandering 'a fundamental affront to our system of democracy.' He's heading a Democratic effort that seeks a more level playing field well beyond the next elections.
Even in his absence, McCain’s influence is strongly feltFrom his home in Arizona, GOP Sen. John McCain has maintained his voice on Capitol Hill – in part through a new generation of senators he’s mentored.
First LookRepublican memo released with support of TrumpA classified memo prepared by House Republicans accusing the FBI of misconduct regarding the investigation into connections between the Trump campaign and Russia was released despite objections from the Justice Department.
First LookVoters with disabilities face barriers to votingMillions of voting-age Americans with disabilities face numerous obstacles to cast their ballots in elections, including a recent return to paper ballots, poorly trained poll workers, and physically inaccessible polling places.
Nunes memo: What will determine its political effectThe memo raises questions not only about how it will affect the Russia investigation, but what happens when politics and intelligence gathering collide. The impact may not be clear until more is known about Special Counsel Robert Mueller's findings.
US infrastructure needs repairs. But who should pay?There is broad agreement that the nation's bridges, water mains, and airports are in need of work. But President Trump wants state and local governments combined with private partnerships to take the lead, while Democrats see a bigger role for the federal government.
First LookTrump's State of the Union appeals to a divided AmericaEmphasizing the personal stories of American citizens, President Trump spread a message of unity in his Tuesday night speech. He validated his perceived successes in his first year in office and delivered a sense of optimism to the joint session of Congress.
In immigration debate, what constitutes 'merit'?President Trump wants to shift the US immigration system from one that prioritizes family unification to one that's 'merit-based.' But how, exactly, should a prospective immigrant's 'merit' be assessed?
First LookDefying Justice Department, House Republicans vote to release classified memoThe House Intelligence committee voted to release a four-page document, drafted by Republican committee members, that purports to show the improper use of surveillance by the FBI and the Justice Department in the Russia investigation.
State of the Union: How ‘Teleprompter Trump’ can win the nightAmericans have grown accustomed to President Trump’s at times controversial communications via Twitter and his off-the-cuff remarks. But that presents an opportunity for the president to use a staid teleprompter speech to his advantage.
First LookInfluential GOP donors weigh benefits and risks of Trump's off-the-cuff styleAt a private Republican retreat hosted by the Koch brothers this weekend to discuss strategies for midterm elections, many donors expressed doubt about President Trump's role as a party ambassador but others admit they are 'warming up' to his approach.
California's big question: What happens after Jerry Brown?For the past eight years, observers say the four-term governor has been the adult in the room, modeling a method of leadership that seems to be seeping out of American politics: pragmatic governance.
First LookTrump unveils a 'centrist' citizenship plan for DreamersPresident Trump's proposal, offering a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients, also known as Dreamers, in exchange for stricter legal immigration and border security, was met with criticism from both sides of the aisle.
Mueller interview poses thorny predicament for TrumpThe president says he would ‘love’ to sit down with the special counsel, possibly sometime in the next few weeks. But given Trump’s well-known penchant for hyperbole, his lawyers likely are worried about the potential for misstatements.
