Enraged Chris Christie blasts Boehner, House GOP over Sandy aid

WASHINGTON – Enraged over Congress' failure to approve disaster relief for victims of Superstorm Sandy, Gov. Chris Christie of New...

White House eases path to residency for some illegal immigrants

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration eased the way Wednesday for illegal immigrants who are...

Obama claims victory, heads back to Hawaii

WASHINGTON -- Even as he claimed victory and praised leaders for walking back from the edge of economic danger,  President Obama looked...

House approves 'fiscal cliff' deal, rescinding broad tax hike

WASHINGTON — The House gave final approval Tuesday night to a bill to rescind tax increases for the vast majority of Americans, but...

House Republicans grit teeth and prepare to vote

WASHINGTON – House Republicans, facing a political dilemma without good options, prepared Tuesday to vote on a Senate-passed bill to...

House Republicans sharply divided on 'fiscal cliff' deal

WASHINGTON -- A sharply divided House Republican leadership struggled to reach agreement on a measure to avoid part of the so-called “...

Biden to meet with House Democrats on 'fiscal cliff'

WASHINGTON -- Vice President Joe Biden will return to Capitol Hill to meet with House Democrats to talk over the votes expected later...

White House says a fiscal cliff deal has been reached

WASHINGTON – The White House said a deal had been reached to avert the “fiscal cliff” and dispatched Vice President Joe...

Hillary Clinton expected to make full recovery from blood clot

WASHINGTON – The blood clot that led to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s hospitalization on Sunday is lodged in a...

'Fiscal cliff' deal pleases few; House unlikely to vote Monday

WASHINGTON – Details of the emerging “fiscal cliff” deal ricocheted through the...

Obama urges Congress to reach a 'fiscal cliff' deal

WASHINGTON – As negotiators closed in on a tax-and-spending deal to avert the “fiscal cliff,&...

Report faults State Department, intelligence for Benghazi failures

WASHINGTON – The fatal attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, on Sept. 11 was the culmination of a series of oversights...

Deal emerges in 'fiscal cliff' talks; Obama to speak

WASHINGTON – A deal was emerging Monday that would raise taxes on incomes, including investments, for taxpayers making more than $450,...

With clock ticking, still no deal to avert 'fiscal cliff'

WASHINGTON – Senate leaders remain shy of a deal to avert the automatic tax increases due to take effect at midnight on New Year&...

Hillary Clinton hospitalized with blood clot after concussion

WASHINGTON -- Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton was hospitalized in New York on Sunday after doctors discovered a blood clot...

No 'fiscal cliff' deal, but Democrats, GOP closer to compromise

WASHINGTON --  Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill moved closer to a compromise to avert part of the so-called fiscal cliff,...

Republicans back off plan to trim Social Security

WASHINGTON -- Senate Republicans backed off a demand to trim spending on Social Security by changing the cost-of-living adjustment, a...

Tax talks hit serious setback as GOP seeks Social Security cut

WASHINGTON — Talks over preventing the New Year’s tax hike on all but the wealthiest Americans hit a major setback Sunday when...

Boehner: Obama won't stand up to his own party on 'fiscal cliff'

WASHINGTON -- House Speaker John A. Boehner called it “ironic” that President Obama blamed...

A Senate prayer amid gloomy 'fiscal cliff' outlook

WASHINGTON — One measure of the state of affairs in the Capitol is the chaplain’s opening prayer in Congress. On Sunday, it...

Obama says no decision yet on Defense secretary, defends Hagel

WASHINGTON — President Obama said he has made no decision on a new...

Sens. Feinstein, Graham clash on gun control

If Washington’s effort to reach a deal on the "fiscal cliff" looks daunting, just wait for the debate over what to do about mass...

Obama blames GOP for 'fiscal cliff' brinksmanship

WASHINGTON -- President Obama blamed Republican leaders for the latest round of brinkmanship in Washington...

Obama pushes for a 'fiscal cliff' deal, demands a vote

WASHINGTON – President Obama used his weekly address on Saturday to put pressure on the Senate’s leaders as they work to craft a...

Obama 'modestly optimistic' that 'fiscal cliff' can be avoided

WASHINGTON – President Obama said he was “modestly optimistic” that Senate leaders could reach an agreement to avoid the...

Reid, McConnell will try to reach a deal to avoid 'fiscal cliff'

WASHINGTON – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Republican leader Mitch McConnell said in Senate floor statements Friday evening...

Obama, congressional leaders to meet to avoid 'fiscal cliff'

WASHINGTON — President Obama has invited congressional leaders to the White House to try to salvage negotiations to avoid the “...

McConnell: GOP went 'way out of our comfort zone' on 'fiscal cliff'

House returning to work on 'fiscal cliff' Sunday

WASHINGTON -- House members are being called back to the capital by Sunday evening in a move that could be more symbolism than substance, as...

Schatz sworn in as new Hawaii senator

WASHINGTON – Brian Schatz knew this much about Washington before departing Hawaii on Wednesday to start his new role as a U.S. senator...

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson to step down

WASHINGTON — Lisa P. Jackson, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency during...

Obama calls congressional leaders as 'fiscal cliff' optimism fades

WASHINGTON -- President Obama and lawmakers returned to Washington on Thursday to try to jump-start the...

Hawaii Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz tapped to succeed Sen. Daniel Inouye

KANEOHE, Hawaii — Gov. Neil Abercrombie has appointed Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz to replace Daniel K. Inouye in the U.S. Senate, opting...

Black voter turnout may have surpassed whites for the first time

Despite often-voiced concerns about the effect of voter identification laws, black voter turnout remained high in 2012 and, for the first...

Obama, Democrats winning over public on 'fiscal cliff'

WASHINGTON -- Americans are increasingly doubtful that Congress and the White House will reach a budget...

'Fiscal cliff' to bring President Obama back early from Hawaii

HONOLULU – President Obama will leave for Washington on Wednesday evening to restart talks on averting the "fiscal cliff," the White...

Sen. Daniel Inouye gets hero's farewell at Hawaii funeral

HONOLULU – Before Daniel K. Inouye shipped off to Europe with members of his 442nd Regimental Combat Team, his unit traveled by...

Obama and family arrive in Hawaii for Christmas holiday

KANEOHE, Hawaii -- President Obama began the holiday weekend as far removed as one could be from the stalled "fiscal cliff" talks in...

Obama offers a scaled-down budget plan to avert 'fiscal cliff'

WASHINGTON -- In the aftermath of House Speaker John A. Boehner’s defeat on his “Plan B” tax plan, President Obama offered...

Party leaders in Senate trade accusations of blame for Plan B failure

WASHINGTON -- Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell blamed Democrats for forcing House leaders to pull a vote on the Plan B proposal to...

Gun control advocates denounce NRA plan

WASHINGTON — The National Rifle Assn.’s proposal Friday to finance a National Model School Shield Program in which armed...

Obama, lawmakers mark end of mournful week

WASHINGTON -- Washington officials marked the close of a somber week on Friday by observing a moment of silence for the victims of the...

A defiant NRA calls for armed guards in every school

WASHINGTON -- In an angry and defiant news conference, National Rifle Assn. Chief Executive Wayne LaPierre on Friday forcefully rejected...

Boehner tries to shift 'fiscal cliff' responsibility to Democrats

WASHINGTON -- Dimming the prospects for further cooperation on the budget crisis, Republican House Speaker John A. Boehner on Friday tried...

Obama nominates John Kerry to be next secretary of State

WASHINGTON – President Obama nominated John F. Kerry, the five-term senator from Massachusetts, to replace Hillary Rodham Clinton as...

Obama steps up gun control effort

WASHINGTON -- President Obama stepped up his public commitment to specific gun control measures Friday by asking a like-minded audience to...

Boehner cancels House vote as 'Plan B' falls short of GOP support

WASHINGTON — House Speaker John A. Boehner abruptly called off a vote on his “Plan B” tax proposal late Thursday, a...

House Republicans call off vote on 'Plan B' fiscal cliff plan

WASHINGTON --  House Republican leaders abruptly called off a vote Thursday night on their "Plan B” tax proposal to avoid...

Boehner rejects Democrats' push for immediate vote on gun bill

WASHINGTON -- House Speaker John A. Boehner rejected calls from Democrats to schedule a vote on new gun...

White House defends possible Defense nominee Chuck Hagel

WASHINGTON -- The White House is again coming to the defense of a possible Cabinet nominee, even before President Obama makes up his mind on...

Majorities support some new gun laws, not bans

Although public support for “gun control” as a general concept remains well below the levels found in the 1990s, several polls...

Sharp words ahead of 'Plan B' tax vote

WASHINGTON – As the House prepared to vote Thursday on Speaker John A. Boehner’s tax plan, party leaders blamed each other for...

Newark's Cory Booker will explore Senate run

After months of speculation about whether he’d challenge popular New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie for the state’s top job in 2013,...

Sen. Feinstein will not become Judiciary Committee chair

WASHINGTON — Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s hopes of taking over the panel that will be crucial to her efforts to renew an assault...

Clinton accused of faking illness to avoid Benghazi testimony

The State Department slammed former United Nations envoy John Bolton over his suggestion that Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton...

House Democrats push on gun control

WASHINGTON — House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), joined by members of her caucus personally touched by gun...

Senate Judiciary Committee holds hearing on voter suppression

WASHINGTON – Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee debated the necessity of voter ID laws and early-voting restrictions Wednesday,...

Boehner vows to press ahead with 'Plan B' votes

WASHINGTON – The lines of communication seem less open.

Weapon used in Mexico gunfight linked to Operation Fast and Furious

Two of the weapons involved in a drug cartel gunfight last month in Sinaloa, Mexico, that killed five people, including two soldiers and a...

Obama: Newtown tragedy should bring 'perspective' to fiscal talks

WASHINGTON – President Obama urged Republican congressional leaders to view recent national...

Grover Norquist signs off on Boehner's 'Plan B' tax proposal

WASHINGTON -- Grover Norquist, the keeper of anti-tax conservatism, gave his blessing Wednesday to House Speaker John A. Boehner’s...

White House task force to tackle gun violence

WASHINGTON -- Announcing his first steps in response to the Newtown, Conn., school massacre, President...

Sen. Boxer proposes deploying National Guard at schools

WASHINGTON — Federal funds would be made available to deploy National Guard troops at schools under legislation introduced Wednesday...

Robert Bork, rejected Supreme Court nominee, dies at age 85

Robert H. Bork, whose failed Supreme Court nomination in 1987 infuriated conservatives and politicized the confirmation process for the...

Obama to offer first steps toward shooting response

President Obama will give the first glimpse of his policy response to mass shootings in an appearance Wednesday morning in which he'll...

On somber anniversary, Biden copes with a new loss

WASHINGTON – Vice President Joe Biden returned to the Senate on Tuesday to swear in Sen. Patrick J. Leahy of Vermont as the new...

Reid: No 'Plan B' on 'fiscal cliff,' even as a last-ditch effort

Obama backs Feinstein gun control initiative, aides say

President Obama supports an effort already afoot in the U.S. Senate to renew the expired ban on assault weapons, his spokesman said Tuesday.

Sen. Feinstein expected to head Judiciary Committee

WASHINGTON -- When Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) launched her drive in 1994 to win approval for an...

Boehner's 'Plan B' immediately encounters opposition

WASHINGTON -- House Speaker John A. Boehner’s "Plan B" on the budget talks, bringing to a vote his proposal to extend expiring tax...

Most Americans benefit from entitlements

Forget the 47%.

Boehner offers 'Plan B' in 'fiscal cliff' talks

WASHINGTON -- House Speaker John A. Boehner has launched "Plan B" in budget talks, announcing Tuesday that he will bring for a vote his...

'Fiscal cliff' deal closer as Obama-Boehner talks accelerate

WASHINGTON — Negotiations to prevent the year-end budget crisis accelerated Monday as President Obama and House Speaker John A....

Hawaii's nine-term senator, Daniel Inouye, dies at 88

WASHINGTON – Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii, the second-longest-serving senator in U.S. history and winner of the Medal of Honor for...

Advocates: Newtown killings giving new momentum to gun control

WASHINGTON – Gun control advocates who have long struggled to match the political clout of groups such as the National Rifle Assn. say...

Senate Democrats defend $60.4-billion Sandy aid package

WASHINGTON -- Senate Democrats took to the floor Monday to defend a $60.4-billion aid package for victims of Superstorm Sandy against...

White House offers no agenda on gun violence

WASHINGTON -- The day after President Obama made an emotional and direct vow to use all the power of his...

Rep. Tim Scott becomes South Carolina's first black senator

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Tim Scott, a freshman tea party Republican, will become South Carolina's first black senator, Gov. Nikki Haley, announced...

Boehner, Obama meet amid optimism on 'fiscal cliff'

WASHINGTON - House Speaker John A. Boehner returned to the White House on Monday morning, meeting with...

While gun-rights groups lay low, gun-control advocate is inspired

Sen. Feinstein to introduce gun-control bill next year

WASHINGTON — Two days after the shooting deaths of 26 people at a Newtown, Conn., elementary school, Sen. Dianne Feinstein pledged...

Hillary Clinton faints, suffers concussion, recuperating at home

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who canceled an overseas trip this week due to a stomach virus, suffered a...

Three lessons from the near-final popular vote

More than five weeks after election day, almost all the presidential votes have been counted. Here’s what the near-final tally...

Obama dedicates weekly radio address to Connecticut shootings

WASHINGTON -- President Obama used his weekly radio address to offer solace and prayers after the shooting that killed 20 children at a...

Fix the Debt hits the airwaves to influence 'fiscal cliff'

WASHINGTON -- Fix the Debt, a coalition of business executives and policymakers advocating for sweeping deficit reduction, will release...

EPA tightens standards for soot pollution

Citing the need to strengthen safeguards to public health, the Obama administration announced the strictest standards in 15 years for soot,...

Susan Rice withdraws from secretary of State consideration

WASHINGTON – Susan Rice, who came under heavy criticism for her defense of the Obama...

Americans want compromise in 'fiscal cliff' talks

Democrats have an edge in public support in the fiscal cliff negotiations, a trio of polls out this week reveal, with the majority of...

Defiant Boehner presses for 'fiscal cliff' cuts

WASHINGTON – House Speaker John A. Boehner broke out the charts Thursday to make his case that...

Boehner: Obama's 'fiscal cliff' deal 'mainly tax hikes'

WASHINGTON -- Republican leaders kicked off Wednesday with a fierce critique of President Obama's handling...

Reid: 'Fiscal cliff' deal by Christmas 'extremely difficult'

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) took on the role of the Grinch on Tuesday, expressing doubt that a deal on the "fiscal cliff"...

Boehner pushes Obama for cuts related to 'fiscal cliff'

WASHINGTON -- House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) broke the uneasy silence in “fiscal cliff’ negotiations Tuesday, taking...

Obama blasts 'right to work' in Michigan, presses 'fiscal cliff'

President Obama criticized Michigan’s Republican leaders during a visit to a Detroit-area auto plant Monday for advancing a new...

A prayer as 'fiscal cliff' talks continue

WASHINGTON -- The prayers that open Congress each workday often reflect earthly affairs in Washington. On Monday, as "fiscal cliff" talks...

Republicans less likely to compromise than Democrats, poll says

Haley not considering a 'placeholder' to replace DeMint

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, faced with finding a replacement following Sen. Jim DeMint’s sudden retirement, said Monday that...

Notable moments of the 2012 presidential election

More photos:

Newark Mayor Cory Booker could enliven New Jersey governor's race

NEW YORK -- The 2012 presidential election is over, Ohio has certified its vote, even Rep. Allen West has conceded. So where’s...

Obama attends Psy performance despite 'Dear American' flak

WASHINGTON -- President Obama  and his family saw “Gangnam Style” rapper Psy perform at a charity concert Sunday night,...

Boehner, Obama talk 'fiscal cliff' at White House

WASHINGTON -- After days of theatrics and threats from both sides, President Obama met privately with House Speaker John A. Boehner at the...