The Farm Bill Was Bad Policy, But That's Not Why the House Killed It
The corporate welfare in the farm bill is likely to end up on President Donald Trump's desk anyway, even after a surprising defeat in the House.
Congress
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
House Republicans Decide Some Dodd-Frank Reform Is Better Than None
After a monthslong showdown with the Senate, House leaders have agreed to pass a modest set of financial regulation reforms.
The Tyranny of the Administrative State
Unelected bureaucrats should not wield legislative power.
Another Pair of Dueling Reports Closes Out the House Intelligence Committee's Russia-Trump Investigation
Trump-supporting lawmakers find no collusion. Trump-hating lawmakers disagree.
Trump Wages War Wherever and Whenever He Wants
The unauthorized attack on Syria shows Congress won't enforce limits on the president's military powers.
The Real Constitutional Crisis Is Congress' Unwillingness to Do Its Job: Podcast
From Syria to spending, the legislative branch has lost all interest in performing its basic constitutional functions.
What Should Have Happened at the Facebook Hearing
Congress doesn't have the best track record on privacy rights.
The Zuckerberg Hearings Prove Government Shouldn't Regulate Facebook
Congress is filled with elderly politicians completely unsuited to regulate the tech industry.
Rand Paul Worries Mike Pompeo Will Keep America in Afghanistan Even Longer
"The president has been very specific, at times, on this," Paul said. "He said 'it is time to get out of Afghanistan.'"
Today's 'Balanced Budget Amendment' Is a Month Late and $1 Trillion Short
Thursday's vote is an empty gesture. Worse, it's a hypocritical one.
Mark Zuckerberg vs. Silicon Valley's Richard Hendricks: Why Facebook 'Welcomes' Regulation
HBO's hit sitcom about the tech industry lights a real-world path to a better internet.
Clear the Runway: The Fight Over 'Uber for Planes' Is Coming to Congress
The FAA banned flight-sharing apps, but Sen. Mike Lee has introduced a bill to overturn that decision.
It's Good News for Libertarians When Paul Ryan Quits Congress
The vaunted policy wonk's career has expanded the size, scope, and spending of government.
Is Facebook Doomed? What To Expect from Mark Zuckerberg's Senate Testimony
His company's revenue and user growth are flattening; his image is in the toilet. Expect an embrace of hard or soft regulation from the social media king.
Rep. Justin Amash on Trump, Ryan, and the 'Stupidity' of How the Government Spends Your Money
The firebrand Michigan congressman unloads on the GOP leadership's unwillingness to shrink government's size, scope, and spending.
How Congress Could Stop Trump's Trade War, and Why It Might Not
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he's "nervous" about getting into a global trade war. Here's what he could do to prevent one.
The Spending Bill Brings Us Closer to National Bankruptcy
Thanks to Congress and President Trump, budget deficits will only mushroom.
Rep. Thomas Massie: 'Anybody That Voted for the Omnibus Committed an Appalling Act'
The problem is in the procedure, says the libertarian-leaning Kentucky congressman. He thinks it could cost the GOP big in November.
A One-Page Provision About Minor League Baseball Shows How Broken Congress' Legislative Process Is
Congress kneecapped minor league ballplayers' lawsuit with last week's omnibus bill. Even if that was the right thing to do, the way it was done is wrong.
9 Ridiculous Things About the Omnibus Budget Bill
Spending. The Pentagon. TIGER grants. Border Wall. NSF. Planned Parenthood. CDC. Head Start. The whole process. I can't take it anymore.
The Omnibus Spending Bill Is a Fiscal Embarrassment
Republicans prove yet again why they deserve to be labeled the biggest swamp spenders.
To Protect Mueller From Trump, Republican Silence May Be Shrewd
Congressional Republicans may be keeping quiet not because they want to see Mueller fired but because they don't.
Fix NICS Bill Would Help Block Gun Sales to Peaceful People
The measure, which Congress may be on the verge of enacting, aims to improve enforcement of misguided rules.
Congress Is Still Ignoring Its Spending Problem as Deadline Looms for $1.3 Trillion Spending Bill
Four out of five voters agree that Washington has a spending problem, but a new omnibus spending bill will add yet more to the national debt.
Rand Paul Will Oppose Trump's Pro-War, Pro-Torture Nominees for State, CIA
Paul says Mike Pompeo, Trump's pick to be the next secretary of state, will repeat the foreign policy mistakes of the past two decades.
Trump Orders Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum. Can Congress Stop Him?
A 25 percent tariff on steel and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum will take effect in 15 days, unless GOP lawmakers take unusual steps to stop them.
Rand Paul, on Trump: 'I Think He Will Sign Audit the Fed if We Can Get it to Him'
Given the state of the modern GOP, that's a very big "if." But the senator is trying for a vote again this week.
House Passes 'Anti Sex-Trafficking' Bill Opposed by Both DOJ and Trafficking Survivors
The bill makes "promoting prostitution" a federal crime, holds websites legally liable for user-posted content, and lets states retroactively prosecute offenders.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser's Proposed Bump Stock Ban Is Mostly Pointless
It's more about sending a message to Congress
Massachusetts Salon Owner Says He Wants to Hire More Workers. Licensing Is the Reason He Can't.
Even entry-level jobs that allow someone to test out the profession have to be filled by licensed professionals.
Democrats Release Memo Rebutting Claims that FBI Inappropriately Snooped on Former Trump Aide
Argues that secret wiretap authorizations were not abused.
White House Won't Declassify Dems' Memo on Campaign Surveillance—at Least Not Yet
Trump says he's inclined to do so, but letter expresses concerns about "sensitive passages."
In Memoriam: The GOP Pretending to Care About Fiscal Restraint
The new two-year budget deal will result in a $1 trillion deficit.
Please Enjoy These Videos of Paul Ryan Being Concerned About Debt and Overspending
"The real problem is that we spend way more money than we take in. We have to address that."
Here's What Rand Paul, Mark Meadows, and Others in Washington Are Saying About the Nunes Memo
Now that it's out, nobody's minds seem to have changed.
Right To Try Laws Are a Fine Start. Comprehensive Reform of the FDA's Drug Trials Would Be Better.
The drug regulator's clinical trials process for approving drugs needs a complete overhaul.
White House Releases Declassified Memo Alleging Bias in FBI Surveillance of Trump Campaign Staffer (UPDATE: Dem Memo Details Leaked)
Nunes report claims Democratic Party-origins of Steele dossier concealed from court.
Get Yourself Ready for 'The Memo'—Will It Rock Your World or Put You to Sleep?
Trump has reviewed a document alleging FBI misconduct. It might be released Friday.
Trump Promotes 'Right to Try' Experimental Treatments for Terminally Ill Patients in SOTU Address
A bill in Congress would follow the states and allow greater access.
Everybody's Talking About 'The Memo' and Ignoring the Surveillance Debate
Partisan posturing drowns out important civil liberties concerns.
Here Are 5 Criminal Justice Reform Measures That Americans Say They Support
A new poll says voters want change. They can get it if they truly want it.
Dianne Feinstein Ignores GOP Lawmakers, Blames #ReleaseTheMemo on Russians and Social Media Instead
Any excuse to try to censor the internet
Shipping Magnates and Friendly Lawmakers Air-Kiss over Loathsome Law that Torments Poor Hawaiians, Puerto Ricans
The Jones Act drives up consumer prices by protecting U.S. companies from competition. Guess who insists it must be kept intact?
Avoiding a Government Shutdown Means Adding $30 Billion (at Least) to the Debt
The House-passed continuing resolution died Friday in the Senate, but any deal to keep the government operating will likely do similar damage to the deficit.
Meet the Republicans Who Care About Surveillance Abuse Only When Trump's the Target (UPDATE: Trump Signs 702 Bill)
They voted to expand federal snooping. Now they're outraged about how it's used.
