Parties return to carve up midterm spoils

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is pursued by media Nov. 12. (Melina Mara/Post)

The major leaders are likely to be unchanged after the midterm elections. But the battles for lesser positions could give a preview of how the shifts in power could play out in this congressional session.

Latest Politics News

House chair seeks independent review of Secret Service

Rep. Michael McCaul cited recent high-profile security breaches in calling for an advisory board.

Video

Gruber's controversial Obamacare comments, explained

Gruber's controversial Obamacare comments, explained

The Post's Jose DelReal explains why Affordable Care Act architect Jonathan Gruber's year-old comments about the historic law have Republicans so angry.

Congress is about to say goodbye to the world’s leading ambassador for madras jackets

Congress is about to say goodbye to the world’s leading ambassador for madras jackets

Honoring retiring Rep. Howard Coble’s (R-N.C.) sartorial niche.

Being a ‘czar’ means you don’t have to testify to Congress

Being a ‘czar’ means you don’t have to testify to Congress

The White House declines Senate request for Ebola “czar” Ron Klain to testify.

President Obama is going to sign an executive order on immigration. Cue massive political explosion.

President Obama is going to sign an executive order on immigration. Cue massive political explosion.

Republicans must carefully weigh their counterstroke.

Chicago woman at topless demonstration sues city over fines

A woman who says she followed Chicago ordinance over how much you have to cover up in public is suing after she was fined.

Homeland Security plans to expand pre-clearance program at foreign airports

It is unclear which airports and countries might go along, but Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said he is targeting key airports in Europe and Asia.

Bill to scrap unnecessary federal reports heads to President Obama

Bill to scrap unnecessary federal reports heads to President Obama

The reports due to be cut include annual lists of Dog and Cat Fur Protection Act violations and the number of acres of peanuts planted each year.

Obama sets stage for confrontation with Republicans

Obama sets stage for confrontation with Republicans

His party got walloped in the midterms, but the lame-duck president has signaled that he is not going to back down on the climate, immigration and other issues.

Mikulski praises federal employees

Mikulski praises federal employees

Sen. Mikulski praises federal employees as she prepares to leave Appropriations chairmanship.

Video

Pelosi calls out media for asking about her age

Pelosi calls out media for asking about her age

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) fired back at reporters who asked if she should step down in the wake of the midterm elections, suggesting a double standard in how her male Senate counterpart, Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), has been treated.

Undelivered text messages from Apple devices violate California law, lawsuit claims

Undelivered text messages from Apple devices violate California law, lawsuit claims

A woman filed a lawsuit after she switched from an iPhone to an Android device and didn’t receive texts from people who used Apple devices.

Elizabeth Warren and the long history of conveniently invented leadership titles

Elizabeth Warren and the long history of conveniently invented leadership titles

Congress’s favorite way to mollify their fractious parties.

The California GOP might come a few hundred votes shy of unseating its first Democrat since 1994

The California GOP might come a few hundred votes shy of unseating its first Democrat since 1994

But Democratic Rep. Ami Bera just took the lead, likely preserving the streak.

Video

Nancy Pelosi on Jonathan Gruber in 2009 and now

Nancy Pelosi on Jonathan Gruber in 2009 and now

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Thursday that she didn't know who Jonathan Gruber is, but she spoke about him in 2009 in footage surfaced by CSPAN.

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Reid: Democrats to 'expand' leadership

Reid: Democrats to 'expand' leadership

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) announced Thursday that Democrats would add Sens. Amy Klobuchar (Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) and Jon Tester (Mont.) to the party leadership.

U.S. officers’ group backs Lynch as next attorney general

U.S. officers’ group backs Lynch as next attorney general

Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association backs Obama’s pick for next attorney general

Nancy Pelosi says she doesn’t know who Jonathan Gruber is. She touted his work in 2009.

Nancy Pelosi says she doesn’t know who Jonathan Gruber is. She touted his work in 2009.

Her office says she meant that she didn’t know Gruber personally.

Mitch McConnell campaign aired 200 TV ads during ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’

Mitch McConnell campaign aired 200 TV ads during ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’

Just because you don’t support in gay marriage, doesn’t mean you can’t advertise during shows that do.

2014 and Asian American voting

2014 and Asian American voting

For Asian Americans, the difference between midterm and presidential elections is particularly consequential.

Nevada group turns in twice as many signatures as needed to get pot legalization on ballot

Nevada group turns in twice as many signatures as needed to get pot legalization on ballot

Under the process, the legislature will be given a chance to weigh in on legalization next year.

Were Republicans worried that attacking Obamacare would turn out Democrats?

Were Republicans worried that attacking Obamacare would turn out Democrats?

As a campaign issue, it probably would only have helped Democrats.

An Obama veto of Keystone XL could be pretty unpopular

An Obama veto of Keystone XL could be pretty unpopular

Even many Democrats approve of the project.

Nebraska’s attorney general-elect thinks the state can defend its same-sex marriage ban

Despite marriage bans being struck down across the country, Nebraska’s incoming AG thinks his state’s can be defended.

The worst ad of the 2014 campaign

The worst ad of the 2014 campaign

So many options...

Five other people as qualified to offer advice to Hillary Clinton as Rudy Giuliani

Five other people as qualified to offer advice to Hillary Clinton as Rudy Giuliani

You didn’t make the list, but you could have.

Outgoing Arkansas Gov. Beebe to pardon son over marijuana conviction

Outgoing Arkansas Gov. Beebe to pardon son over marijuana conviction

He says his son received no special treatment.

Today’s the annual Nixon alumni luncheon; and a Loop Quiz!

Today’s the annual Nixon alumni luncheon; and a Loop Quiz!

Nixon Alums: Don’t miss the annual luncheon today. And while you’re at it, see if you can answer this Loop Quiz.

Will Loretta Lynch end ‘Too Big To Jail’?

Will Loretta Lynch end ‘Too Big To Jail’?

There is one area where there was some bipartisan agreement about Eric Holder’s tenure: disapproval of his failure to aggressively pursue criminal charges against large financial institutions.

Colin Powell’s tips on best etiquette when receiving foreign gifts

Colin Powell’s tips on best etiquette when receiving foreign gifts

The State Department released its annual list of gifts given to federal officials by foreign governments. Some are really random.

Study: DOD could save up to $4.4 billion a year by shaking up retirement pay

Study: DOD could save up to $4.4 billion a year by shaking up retirement pay

Rand Corporation researchers say servicemembers should vest in pensions sooner than 20 years

The 2014 election was very bad for Democrats. It was almost even worse.

The 2014 election was very bad for Democrats. It was almost even worse.

Those who decided in the final days leaned Democratic.

Is your ‘humanely raised’ Butterball turkey really so humane?

Is your ‘humanely raised’ Butterball turkey really so humane?

As Thanksgiving approaches, PETA has asked the federal government to step into a dispute involving the largest turkey producer in America.

George W. Bush’s claims on weapons found and not found in Iraq

George W. Bush’s claims on weapons found and not found in Iraq

The former president twists the initial rationale behind the invasion of Iraq.

Understanding the US 2014 midterms: Live-streaming conference Thursday and Friday

Understanding the US 2014 midterms: Live-streaming conference Thursday and Friday

Bi-partisan election analysis from practitioners, participants and journalists live streaming Thursday and Friday

Millions of children on Medicaid missing their checkups

Millions of children on Medicaid missing their checkups

Obama administration has increased rate of visits, but must do more, a watchdog report says.

For Huckabee, another try at the White House?

For Huckabee, another try at the White House?

Ex-Arkansas governor contacts GOP activists, starts building team for possible presidential run in 2016.