The Debt Ceiling is a Housekeeping Procedure

The House Republicans are functionally insane.

On Debt Deal, Americans Want Compromise Not Grandstanding

Three new polls provide a warning to both sides of the debt negotiations, but mostly to Republicans.

Gang Of Six Resurrecting The “Grand Bargain”?

The Gang of Six is back together. And they have a plan.

Republican Leadership vs. Young Guns

As the Republican leadership reaches a deal with President Obama, the biggest stumbling block may be the newest members of their own coalition.

The Economy And The 2012 Elections

It isn’t just President Obama who should be worried about the economy next year.

Erick Erickson Is Putting Party Before Country

How much of an American can you be if you are willing to wreck the economy for political gain.

So Much For “Repeal And Replace”

Whatever happened to the GOP’s promise to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act?

Congress and Libya

Is Congress set to vote to authorize military action in Libya?

Opposing Dumb, Unnecessary Wars Is Not “Isolationism”

Contrary to what Senator McCain, seeking realism in military policy does not make one an isolationist.

Eric Cantor: Any Tornado Disaster Relief Must Be Off-Set By Spending Cuts

Should we worry about the deficit when funding “disaster relief”? Should we be funding “disaster relief” at all?

Will One Election Decide The Fate Of The Ryan Plan?

Voters in New York State may help move the budget debate on Capitol Hill.

Quote of the Day, Ryan Plan Politics Edition

The bungled politics of the Ryan plan.

Boehner Wants Big Cuts in Exchange for Debt Ceiling Increase

Boehner wants some pretty big cuts in exchange for a vote on raising the debt ceiling.

Republicans Ready To Punt On Ryan Plan’s Medicare Changes?

Republicans seem to have realized that the Ryan Plan’s Medicare reforms aren’t going anywhere.

Are Republicans Facing A Backlash Over Ryan Plan And Medicare Changes?

There are signs that the Ryan Plan isn’t playing well with the public.

Obama Blames Media (And A Certain “Carnival Barker”) For Birther Nonsense

President Obama chided the media for paying too much attention to the birther issue, but his criticism was unwarranted.

The Ryan Plan’s Political Problem

Will the Ryan Plan ever be voted out of the House?

Paul Krugman Wonders Where The President He Thought He Was Voting For Went To

Paul Krugman is disappointed with the President, but it’s really his own fault for being so naive.

Obama’s Big Deficit Speech Will Come Without Specific Plan To Cut Deficit

Prepare to be underwhelmed by President Obama’s big deficit speech on Wednesday.

Budget Deal Postmortem: Who Won?, Who Lost?, Does It Matter?

What, if anything, does the budget deal mean for the future?

Government Shutdown Now Seems Inevitable

There are still three days left, but it’s looking less and less likely that a budget deal will be reached in time to avoid a government shutdown.

Paul Ryan Unveils Plan To Cut Federal Spending By $6 Trillion Over Ten Years

Paul Ryan unveiled an ambitious plan to cut the deficit today. The question is whether it will be the beginning of a debate, or an opportunity for Democratic demagoguery

Make A Budget Deal, And Move On To The Bigger Fight

Rather than fighting over the remnants of the FY 2011 budget, the GOP should make a deal and get ready for the bigger, and more important, battle ahead.

House Republicans Have Forgotten How A Bill Becomes A Law

House Republicans engaged in a publicity stunt on Friday that displayed a profound misunderstanding of how government actually works in the United States.

“Extremism” In Defense Of Bloated Budgets Is Apparently No Vice

Nor, it would seem, are really tired clichés.

The NPR Vote and Understanding the Budget

Republican budget cuts to this point have been less than serious.

NPR Defunding Bill Violated 72 Hour Rule

The NPR vote was nothing more than political theatrics–and it violated a GOP campaign promise to boot.

Moodys: GOP Spending Cut Plan Could Cost 700,000 Jobs

Moodys warns the the Republican plan to cut spending could cost the economy 700,000 jobs.