The Balanced Budget Amendment Is A Bad Idea

House and Senate Republicans are pushing a Balanced Budget Amendment. It sounds like a good idea, but it isn’t.

If the U.S. Defaults, Eric Cantor Makes Money

If the U.S. defaults, Eric Cantor will make some money.

Is A Three-Term Congresswoman Who’s Never Sponsored A Law Ready For The White House?

The odds of history are against Michele Bachmann.

House Refuses To Authorize Libyan War, Then Refuses To Defund Libyan War

Congress had a chance to send a strong message to the Executive Branch today. They failed.

Opposing Dumb, Unnecessary Wars Is Not “Isolationism”

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

A Democracy Fail In Virginia

The vast majority of the seats in the Virginia legislature will not even be contested this November.

President Obama To Congress: War Powers Act Doesn’t Apply To Libya

The Obama Administration tells Congress that it doesn’t need to comply with the War Powers Act because the Act does not apply to the mission in Libya.

Sarah Palin, Rick Perry, And Post-Debate Calculus

Will last night’s debate have any influence on the potential candidates who weren’t there?

Racial Gerrymandering and Idiots

Cynthia Tucker regrets her support for majority-minority districts.

House Bars Ground Troops in Libya

The House of Representatives has voted 416-5 for a resolution prohibiting President Obama from sending ground troops to Libya

Democrat Wins Special Election In NY-26

It’s just one Congressional District out of 435, but that won’t stop everyone from trying to turn the results in NY-26 into a national referendum on Medicare reform.

The Politics of Oil Company Tax Breaks

Senate fails to revoke tax cuts for big oil.

Is Arizona’s ‘Birther’ Bill Unconstitutional?

Arizona’s so-called “Birther Bill” seems to violate several provisions of the Federal Constitution.

Cynical Political Games, Military Pay, And Government Shutdowns

For the past day or so, America’s fighting men have been pawns in a cynical political game.

Republicans Losing the Center?

Can a candidate appealing enough to the base to win the Republican nomination beat Obama?

Incorporation Frustration

You remember how the House GOP was trying to pass laws without the Senate or the President agreeing? Yeah, about that….

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.

Yet Another War

America is about to enter a third war in the Muslim world with no clear idea of the end game.

Opposition To Same-Sex Marriage No Longer A Winning Issue For The GOP

Opposition to marriage equality is no longer the wedge issue it used to be.

What Should The U.S. Do About Libya? Most Americans Say Nothing

Calls are coming from both sides of the aisle for the U.S. to do “something” about the situation in Libya. It would be better if we didn’t get involved.

Quorum Rules

A commenter asks, “Why does Wisconsin have a quorum rule if not for situations like this?”

Obama’s Budget Proposal: Is It A Trap?

You don’t have to be Admiral Akbar to suspect that the President’s refusal to deal with entitlements in his budget proposal is a trap for the GOP.

Clarence Thomas has amended 13 years’ worth of disclosure reports. | AP Photo Clarence Thomas has amended 13 years’ worth of disclosure reports. | AP Photo

Clarence Thomas Failed to Report Wife’s Income

Clarence Thomas has amended 13 years’ worth of disclosure reports.

Chris Christie Turned Down Offer To Do SOTU Response

Chris Christie turned down the chance to give the response to tomorrow’s State Of The Union Address

Is Rep. Giffords In Danger Of Losing Her Seat Due To Being Hospitalized?

An obscure Arizona law has raised questions over whether Congressman Gabrielle Giffords could lose her seat if she is disabled for an extended period.