Shaking Off Midterm Drubbing, Liberal Donors Look 6 Years Ahead

By NICHOLAS CONFESSORE

Meeting in Washington this week, an alliance of liberal philanthropists is laying plans for what it hopes will be a long-term resurgence of progressive ideas.

First Draft

Democratic Caucus Keeps Reid as Leader, but Airs Frustration

By ASHLEY PARKER

Senate Democrats voted on Thursday to keep Senator Harry Reid of Nevada as their leader, but Democrats expressed frustration with the party’s direction.

First Draft

It’s McConnell, Unanimously

By JEREMY W. PETERS

Senator Mitch McConnell was elected unanimously as incoming Senate majority leader. Caucus gives him a standing ovation.

First Draft

Today in Politics

By THE NEW YORK TIMES

With the last session of the 113th Congress underway, Democrats are looking to expand their leadership ranks, and members of both parties are preparing to pass some legislation.

Little Rock Celebration Draws Clinton Supporters, Faithful and Hopeful

By AMY CHOZICK

As friends, aides and donors gather for the 10th anniversary of the William J. Clinton Presidential Center, thoughts will turn to Hillary Rodham Clinton’s ambitions.

First Draft

White House Hints at a Pipeline Veto

By ALAN RAPPEPORT

President Obama has largely left the cap on his veto pen, but that might not be the case for much longer.

In Climate Deal With China, Obama May Set 2016 Theme

By CORAL DAVENPORT

The landmark agreement to cut greenhouse gas pollution is a bet by President Obama that the environment will be a winning cause for Democrats.

• Deal on Carbon Emissions by Obama and Xi Jinping Raises Hopes for Upcoming Paris Climate Talks NYT Now

Climate Accord Relies on Environmental Policies Now in Place

By HENRY FOUNTAIN and JOHN SCHWARTZ

The United States and China should both be able to meet the stated goals by aggressively pursuing policies that are largely underway, analysts said.

After Victory Laps, Settling In as Rookies

By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG

For incoming House freshmen, going to Congress is like going to college, with orientation on the dos and don’ts of Capitol Hill and a tough search for housing.

Congress Returns After 6 Weeks Away, but Immediate Actions Are Few

By ASHLEY PARKER and JEREMY W. PETERS

The denouement of Election Day continued to play out as the House and the Senate scheduled dueling votes to try to influence the outcome of the unresolved Louisiana Senate race.

In Control, Republican Lawmakers See Budget as Way to Push Agenda

By JONATHAN WEISMAN

Congressional Republicans have plans to transform Medicare and Medicaid and to cut taxes for high earners, measures once out of reach with Democrats controlling the Senate.

Army Cuts Hit Officers Hard, Especially Ones Up From Ranks

By DAVE PHILIPPS

Faced with declining budgets, the Army has had to cut its force, and, for reasons the Army has not explained, the largest group of officers being pushed out — nearly one in five — began as enlisted soldiers.

U.S. Tells U.N. Panel of Steps to Revise Interrogation Policy

By CHARLIE SAVAGE

The acting State Department legal adviser told a United Nations panel that monitors torture that the United States had used cruel treatment after the Sept. 11 attacks.

Justices Hear Challenge to Alabama Redistricting

By ADAM LIPTAK

Black and Democratic lawmakers in Alabama said the state Legislature relied too heavily on race in 2012 by maintaining high concentrations of black voters in some districts.

Dan Sullivan, G.O.P. Senate Challenger in Alaska, Wins Senate Race

By KIRK JOHNSON

Senator Mark Begich narrowly lost his re-election bid to Dan Sullivan after a count of absentee ballots.

Supreme Court Lets Gay Marriages Proceed in Kansas

By ADAM LIPTAK

The justices, with Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas dissenting, lifted a temporary stay that had been issued on Monday.

South Carolina: Marriage Ban Falls

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Judge Richard Gergel of Federal District Court on Wednesday struck down South Carolina’s same-sex marriage ban as unconstitutional, but gave the state a week to appeal.

De Blasio Balancing His Promises With Reality

By MICHAEL M. GRYNBAUM

Mayor Bill de Blasio is championing liberal values nationally, but at home, he is being criticized by the same police critics whose cause he backed during his campaign.

Marge Roukema, Congresswoman, Dies at 85; Backed Family Leave

By WILLIAM YARDLEY

Mrs. Roukema was a Republican whose moderate views often put her at odds with her party, most notably in her support of the Family and Medical Leave Act.

Attorney General Pam Bondi of Florida Defends Free Trips

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Attorney General Pam Bondi, who was re-elected last week , has defended her decision to take free trips to conferences and socialize with lawyers for corporations under investigation by other states.

First Draft

A Celebratory Air as New G.O.P. Senators Have a Look Around

By CARL HULSE

Senate Republicans on Wednesday welcomed the reinforcements to the Capitol after last week’s sweeping election win.

Congressional Memo

Lame-Duck Session Is First Crucial Test of Breaking Gridlock

By CARL HULSE

If members of Congress cannot make deals now, they might never be able to, because all sides have real incentives to act.

Colorado Ousts Pro-Gun Republicans, Showing Effect of Turnout

By JACK HEALY

The two pro-gun Republicans elected during recall elections last year were handily beaten this month by Democrats, which analysts called a lesson in the impact of turnout.

First Draft

Endorsing Paul and Rubio in 2016 (for Senator, Not President)

By NICK CORASANITI

The anti-tax group is endorsing six senators for re-election two years from now, all of them Republicans who won their seats as part of the Tea Party wave of 2010.

States Race to Improve Health Insurance Exchanges

By ABBY GOODNOUGH

Many states will have more workers in call centers this year and more enrollment events to help people through the insurance sign-up process.

• Q. and A.: Affordable Care Act Enrollment NYT Now

Bush (43) Shares Spotlight With Bush (41) as Tribute Book Is Published

By PETER BAKER

Former President George W. Bush’s book “41: A Portrait of My Father” could inspire historical reassessments of two former presidents.

• First Draft: Bush Tiptoes Into Public Arena to Question Obama on Afghanistan

Obama’s Call for Net Neutrality Sets Up Fight Over Rules

By EDWARD WYATT

Virtually everyone agrees that some rules written to regulate telephone service should not apply to the Internet but there are disagreements about what rules should survive.

The Upshot

Why the Voters of 2016 Are Likely to Be Younger and More Diverse

By NATE COHN

Enthusiasm for President Obama brought out younger and nonwhite voters in 2008 and 2012, but demographic changes are set to have the same effect.

John Doar, Federal Lawyer on Front Lines Against Segregation, Dies at 92

By ROY REED

A Republican, Mr. Doar prosecuted some of the most notorious cases of murder in the South in the ’60s and was chief counsel to the House panel investigating Watergate.

First Draft

On Climate Change, Voters Are as Partisan as Ever

By ALAN RAPPEPORT

Members of Congress tend to tread carefully on the climate debate, and last week’s midterm elections showed why they are wise to do so.

Obama Aims to Lift the Global Economy, and Maybe Himself

By JONATHAN WEISMAN

Mr. Obama will arrive at an international economic meeting in Australia hoping to press European and Asian leaders to get their economies moving again — and perhaps buoy his own presidency.

• U.S.-India Agreement Clears Way for Global Trade Deal 8:27 AMNYT Now