National Politics

Politics More Obama aides knew of IRS audit; Obama not told More Obama aides knew of IRS audit; Obama not told
White House chief of staff Denis McDonough and other senior advisers knew in late April that an impending report was likely to say the IRS had inappropriately targeted conservative groups, President Barack Obama's spokesman disclosed Monday, expanding the circle of top officials who knew of the audit beyond those named earlier.
Politics GOP ponders how to capitalize on Obama's woes GOP ponders how to capitalize on Obama's woes
The scandals dogging President Barack Obama are a political gift to Republicans, who could use some good luck after recent election losses. It's not clear, however, how Republicans can best capitalize on Democrats' woes, legislatively or politically.
Politics Treasury officials told of IRS probe in June 2012 Treasury officials told of IRS probe in June 2012
Senior Treasury officials were made aware in June 2012 that investigators were looking into complaints from tea party groups that they were being harassed by the Internal Revenue Service, a Treasury inspector general said Friday, disclosing that Obama administration officials knew there was a probe during the heat of the presidential campaign.
Politics House chairman sees IRS errors as part of pattern House chairman sees IRS errors as part of pattern
The Internal Revenue Service's improper use of tougher scrutiny of conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status seems part of a broader pattern of intimidation and cover-ups by the Obama administration, a top House Republican said Friday.
Politics Badgered: Obama acts, but Republicans unsatisfied Badgered: Obama acts, but Republicans unsatisfied
President Barack Obama, seeking to regain his footing amid controversies hammering the White House, named a temporary chief for the scandal-marred Internal Revenue Service Thursday and pressed Congress to approve new security money to prevent another Benghazi-style terrorist attack.
Politics Congress rethinks 9/11 law on military force Congress rethinks 9/11 law on military force
Congress is rethinking the broad authority it gave the president to wage a war on terror after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in light of how President Barack Obama has used the power to target suspected terrorists with lethal drone strikes.
Politics Holder defends subpoenas for AP phone records Holder defends subpoenas for AP phone records
Attorney General Eric Holder told Congress Wednesday that a serious national security leak required the secret gathering of telephone records at The Associated Press as he stood by an investigation in which he insisted he had no involvement.
Politics White House releases trove of Benghazi documents White House releases trove of Benghazi documents
Then CIA-Director David Petraeus objected to the final talking points the Obama administration used after the deadly assault on a U.S. diplomatic post in Benghazi, Libya, because he wanted to see more details revealed to the public, according to emails released Wednesday by the White House.
Politics Top official at IRS steps down following controversy Top official at IRS steps down following controversy
President Barack Obama on Wednesday announced the resignation of the top official at the Internal Revenue Service following a controversy over the agency's targeting of conservative political groups.
Politics Top IRS official didn't reveal tea party targeting Top IRS official didn't reveal tea party targeting
The IRS acting chief acknowledged Tuesday that the agency demonstrated "a lack of sensitivity" in its screenings of political groups seeking tax-exempt status, but he said those mistakes won't be repeated.
Politics Senate passes bill letting states tax online sales Senate passes bill letting states tax online sales
The Senate sided with traditional retailers and financially strapped state and local governments Monday by passing a bill that would widely subject online shopping — for many a largely tax-free frontier — to state sales taxes.
Politics GOP seeks alternative to overtime pay GOP seeks alternative to overtime pay
It seems like a simple proposition: give employees who work more than 40 hours a week the option of taking paid time off instead of overtime pay.
Politics Rhode Island becomes 10th state with gay marriage Rhode Island becomes 10th state with gay marriage (Photo Gallery)
Rhode Island on Thursday became the nation's 10th state to allow gay and lesbian couples to wed, as a 16-year effort to extend marriage rights in this heavily Roman Catholic state ended with the triumphant cheers of hundreds of gays, lesbians, their families and friends.
Politics Markey, Gomez win Mass. US Senate primaries to replace Kerry Markey, Gomez win Mass. US Senate primaries to replace Kerry
Democratic U.S. Rep. Edward Markey and Republican former Navy SEAL Gabriel Gomez won their party primaries on Tuesday, setting up a race between a 36-year veteran of Washington politics and a political newcomer for the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by John Kerry.
Politics Obama calls Collins, offers support on coming out Obama calls Collins, offers support on coming out
A groundbreaking pronouncement from NBA veteran Jason Collins — "I'm gay" — reverberated Monday through Washington, generating accolades from lawmakers on Twitter and a supportive phone call from President Barack Obama.