All Politics
FocusIs Congress to blame for a downshifting US economy?Evidence is mounting that the economy is taking a hit because Congress can't – or won't – deal with the 'fiscal cliff' looming at year's end. The fight on Capitol Hill last summer over the national debt limit also took an economic toll.
Congress's dirty secret: behind scenes, it's working to fix problemsMuch of what Congress does this summer will be pure political posturing. But behind the scenes, small groups of lawmakers are trying to chip away at the biggest fiscal issues.
- Congress's dirty secret: behind scenes, it's working to fix problems
Much of what Congress does this summer will be pure political posturing. But behind the scenes, small groups of lawmakers are trying to chip away at the biggest fiscal issues.
Rupert Murdoch says Mitt Romney needs 'more fight.' Is he right?The News Corp. chairman appears to be going after the presidential candidate presumably most in tune with his conservative economic principles. What Rupert Murdoch's tweets may reveal about GOP comfort level with Mitt Romney.
How Massachusetts is faring under its landmark health-care reform lawSix years into its health-care reform experiment, Massachusetts is neither in a state of doom nor of glory. What lessons does its law, the model for Obama's Affordable Care Act, hold for the nation?
Is health care ruling Obama's 'Read my lips: No new taxes' moment?Republicans are beating up on President Obama because the Supreme Court said the Affordable Care Act is tied to new taxes. But that could be a problem for Mitt Romney given his record in Massachusetts.
Chief Justice Roberts fends off speculation about his health-care rulingSome analysts say Chief Justice John Roberts switched sides in upholding the Affordable Care Act. He jokes that he's headed to an 'impregnable island fortress' to avoid such questions.
How Obama, Romney are spinning court's health-care rulingRepublicans and Democrats are putting their political spin on the US Supreme Court's historic and startling decision on the Affordable Care Act. As they head toward the presidential election, both Barack Obama and Mitt Romney have major challenges in interpreting the law.
Is the Obama health-care law a huge tax increase?Responding to the Supreme Court's historic ruling on the Affordable Care Act, Republicans are refocusing criticism on the tax fallout from health-care reform. Is it a tax hike? Yes. But on whom?
In keeping student loan rates low, Congress sends hidden messageThe House and Senate passed measures to address student loan rates, transportation funding, and flood insurance, showing that when Congress wants to get things done, it can.
After Supreme Court ruling, Medicaid expansion faces uncertaintyA main goal of the Affordable Care Act was to increase the rolls of insured Americans, with about half coming from Medicaid. But the Supreme Court made it easier for states to opt out of the expanded program.
Monitor BreakfastHaley Barbour: Republicans are 'totally united' behind RomneyHaley Barbour, the former Mississippi governor and longtime Republican power player, dispels the notion that the Republican Party is too orthodox, pointing to its support for Mitt Romney.
Could Congress jail Attorney General Eric Holder for contempt?Congress has jailed those deemed in contempt before but never a sitting Cabinet official – and not recently. Moreover, the few times Congress has locked down people within the Capitol, it has not turned out well for Congress.
Health care: What the Supreme Court's ruling means for US consumersThe US Supreme Court ruling to uphold Obama's health-care reform law affects households across America. Millions without insurance are on track to get it. But costs are an unresolved issue.
House holds Eric Holder in contempt: What happens to him now?Republicans say Attorney General Eric Holder is withholding documents that could show a coverup. Democrats say the investigation is a witch hunt. The outcome? Likely, more delay.
With media flub, Obama gets 'Dewey defeats Truman' moment with health careInitially, CNN and Fox thought the Supreme Court had struck down the individual mandate. The mix-up paved the way for a clever computer manipulation that created an instant meme.
Why Republicans see a loss in the Supreme Court as a win at the pollsSupreme Court's 5-to-4 ruling upholding President Obama's health-care law gives Republicans a new case to repeal the law, hammer taxes, and rev up the party base.
Is Eric Holder contempt vote over Fast and Furious about race?Eric Holder on Thursday became the first US attorney general to be held in contempt of Congress. The story of how race became entwined in the debate over the Fast and Furious gun-running scandal is a parable of the Obama presidency.
Outside Supreme Court, health-care ruling ignites cauldron of emotionThursday's Supreme Court ruling brought out a full range of views on President Obama's signature health-care reform – not unlike the mixed state of public opinion on the law.
Mitt Romney: To get rid of 'Obamacare,' get rid of ObamaPresident Obama spoke soon after Mitt Romney, and took care not to 'spike the ball' after his victory in the Supreme Court. But now he's responsible for a law that gets mixed reviews in the court of public opinion.
