Will The GOP Back Away From Using The Budget To Attack The PPACA?

Republicans don’t seem willing to let go of the Obamacare issue just yet. But, how long will that actually last?

Yep, Time To Prepare For The Shutdown

It’s now clear that, absent an unlikely miracle, there will be a government shutdown.

House To Insist On One Year Delay Of Obamacare, Making Shutdown All But Inevitable

The House will reportedly vote on a new Continuing Resolution with conditions that would seem to make a shutdown inevitable.

Ted Cruz and the Fight for the Soul of the Republican Party

With key conservatives pushing for sanity, the grown-ups have a chance to take back the GOP.

Ted Cruz Working To Undermine Boehner’s Plan On Budget, Debt Ceiling

Ted Cruz is going after the Speaker of the House.

Republican Plan B: Hold The Debt Ceiling Hostage?

Republicans reportedly have another plan to get what they want on Obamacare and other issues.

Ted Cruz Admits His Plan To Defund Obamacare Won’t Succeed

Ted Cruz becomes a little more honest about his plan to “defund” Obamacare.

House To Vote On Budget That Makes A Government Shutdown More Likely

The House is going to make it more likely that we see a government shutdown at the end of the month.

Poll: Public Would Blame GOP For Government Shutdown

The GOP’s plan to defund reality becomes even more disconnected from reality.

What Would Obama Do If Congress Says No On Syria?

Given that the vote count seems to be heading that way, this is a question worth examination.

No House Vote On Syria Resolution If Votes Aren’t There?

Would House Republicans really defer from voting on a Syria resolution to prevent embarrassing the President on the world stage?

Instead Of Working Hard, Congress Is Hardly Working

Congress isn’t spending much time in Washington these days but that’s only one of the reasons it isn’t accomplishing very much.

Ted Cruz’s Foolish Advice To His Fellow Republicans

Ted Cruz is either being incredibly cynical as he deludes his fellow Republicans, or he’s living in a fantasy world.

Obama’s Pivot To The Economy: More Of The Same

As expected, President Obama’s latest “pivot” to the economy is less than meets the eye.

Republicans Aren’t Happy With Their Party Leadership, But Why?

Republicans aren’t happy with their leadership. The reason why is also the reason why Republicans are in trouble politically.

House GOP Rejects Comprehensive Immigration Reform, Likely Killing Any Reform

The latest House GOP pronouncements on immigration reform make it exceedingly unlikely that any bill will pass this year.

A New Conspiracy Theory: IRS Tea Party Targeting Helped Win The Election For Obama

A new theory circulating on the right asserts that IRS targeting of Tea Party groups had an impact on the 2012 elections by diminish the Tea Party’s effectiveness. It’s mostly nonsense.

Did The Pentagon Exaggerate The Effects of Sequestration?

The sequestration cuts are two months old, and it seems pretty clear that the claims of doom we heard before they went into effect were heavily exaggerated.

A No Vote On Manchin/Toomey Is Unlikely To Hurt Any Senator

The odds that any of the Senators who voted no on Manchin/Toomey will pay a political price for doing so is low.

One Congressman’s Fate Demonstrates What’s Wrong With The GOP

One Virginia Republican Member of Congress recently got a lesson in what going against the GOP’s hyperpartisan atmosphere feels like.

A Quote to Ponder (Partisanship and Governance Edition)

A bit of musing on parties, elections, and governance,

Institutions 101 and the Sequester

Institutional dynamics in the US constitutional system are the key to undertstanding our current predicament.

It Doesn’t Matter Whose Idea The Sequester Was

Once again, politicians in Washington are engaging in irrelevant partisan battles rather than trying to solve the nation’s problems.

The Sequester, Moving Goalposts, and the 2012 Elections

Ezra Klein argues that the voters already decided how the sequestration fight should play out.

952 Days Since Congress Passed Major Law

t’s been more than two-and-a half years since the United States passed major legislation.

Nobody In Washington Cares About Governing, And It’s Hurting The Country

The political antics surrounding the sequestration cuts is a prime example of what’s wrong with Washington.

Obama, GOP Battle Over Sequestration Cuts

The sequestration cuts are fast approaching, and the political battle is continuing.

The Politics Of Gun Control

Based on the polls, the odds of some changes to America’s gun control laws will become law. It’s unlikely they’ll accomplish anything, though.

A Credit Downgrade Warning Both Sides Should Listen To

Fitch is out this morning with a warning on the nation’s credit rating that both Republicans and Democrats need to listen to.

Republican Debt Ceiling Strategy Doomed To Fail

The GOP is following a strategy on the debt ceiling that cannot possibly succeed.

Republicans Foolishly Risking Default To Prove A Political Point

Once again, the House GOP is risking sending the economy into the tank to prove a political point.

The Platinum Coin Idea Is Officially Dead

The White House has shot down an idea that never deserved to be taken seriously.

Gun Control Proponents Are About To Face Political Reality

The ultimate impact of the Newtown tragedy on the nation’s gun laws is likely to be very limited.