Outside the Beltway

The new President of the National Rifle Association has a new theory to explain mass shootings, but there’s no basis for believing it’s accurate.

For some reason, the President wants to help a Chinese company that has been accused of being a security risk by American intelligence services.

The first estimate of economic growth in the first three months of 2018 beat expectations slightly, but it doesn’t bode well for the immediate future.

We’re set to return to the era of trillion dollar budget deficits, and Republicans won’t do a thing about it.

President Trump is continuing his dangerous and misguided trade war rhetoric,

Mitt Romney staked out a position on DACA that is to the right of the President, and to the right of a majority of Utah voters.

If the polls are any indication, Democrats may fall short in their bid to take back the House in November.

Wisconsin-Stevens Point is shuttering 13 majors, including English, history, political science and sociology while expanding more job-oriented programs.

Responsible governance from the Golden State?

The President provided a contender for most ignorant tweet this morning, as he makes a proposal that would disrupt the global economy.

President Trump’s military parade would come with a not insignificant cost.

Republicans spent the eight years of Obama Administration railing against fiscal irresponsibility. Now that they have power, they’re the ones being fiscally irresponsible.

While most of America slept, the government was shutdown thanks to some faux theatrics by a single Senator.

Congress seems likely to pass a budget deal today that will massively increase spending, putting to rest once and for all the rank hypocrisy of Republicans when it comes to claims that they are “fiscally conservative.”

Congress appears to be moving closer to a budget deal even as the President tries to throw a monkey wrench into the whole thing.

Recent polls have caused Republicans to become more optimistic about their chances in this year’s midterms. That optimism is both premature and misplaced.

Donald Trump spent much of the past year touting the rising stock market, now he’s getting a lesson in reality.

With Republicans fully in control in Washington, their concerns about the budget deficit seem to have disappeared.

Will Joe Arpaio cause the GOP to lose an otherwise winnable Senate race?

The economy grew in the final quarter of 2017, but at a slower pace than earlier in the year and far slower than what the President has promised.

It’s been seven years since Congress eliminated earmarking, and what we’ve seen has provided good evidence for the argument that it should never have been eliminated.

Republicans passed their tax bill yesterday. What that means for the economy and the 2018 midterms is another question.

As we near the end of the year, the President’s job approval numbers remain at historically low levels, and there’s no sign that they’ll improve in 2018.

Once again, tax “reform” won’t make it easier to prepare or file tax returns.

The final version of the tax bill appears to be on track for passage, but the devil is in the details.

House and Senate Republicans say they have reached agreement on a final tax bill, and Democrats are engaging in an effort to delay a vote in the Senate until Doug Jones can be seated.

November’s Jobs Report was stronger than expected, but there are several caveats to keep in mind.

The Senate passed a tax cut bill last night, but it leaves a lot to be desired.

With time running out in the year, it’s looking increasingly unlikely that the Senate GOP will be able to meet its deadlines on passing a tax reform bill.

The early numbers in the battle to control Congress look good for Democrats, but there are are a number of caveats to keep in mind.

For some reason, Senate Republicans want to attach a bad health care reform idea onto an already controversial tax reform bill.

House Republicans haven’t released their tax bill yet, but it’s already unpopular.

Republican Lamar Alexander and Democratic Senator Patty Murray say they’ve reached a bipartisan deal to fix an important part of the Affordable Care Act.

And even moreso when they are consciously created by the winner.

Some interesting statistics.

Republicans finally unveiled the outlines of a tax reform package yesterday, but the devil is in the still to be determined details.

Republicans will introduce a tax package by the end of the month, but whether they can actually pass anything is another question entirely.

Perhaps it’s time to consider getting rid of the debt ceiling entirely.

For the third time since December,, the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates.

The Trump White House loses ts first major staffer, and more are likely to come.

Economic growth in the first quarter wasn’t as bad as first estimated, but it still wasn’t very good. And the future is unclear at best.

The latest CBO score for the American Health Care Act is bad news for Republicans.

By the barest of margins, the House passed its bill repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act, but the future of that bill is highly uncertain.

After failing twice in a month, House Republicans apparently think they have the votes to pass their bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.

The Freedom Caucus may be mollified, but moderate Republicans and the Senate aren’t. Meaning that repeal and replacement of Obamacare is becoming less likely.