Oversight

Senate Likely to Pass Bill Keeping Government Open

Measure is the beginning of a tougher conversation that will wait until after Election Day.

Management

The Head-On Politics of Going Around Congress on Climate Change

White House faces collision with GOP over global pact that wouldn't go through Senate.

Oversight

The Senate's Scattershot Approach to Ferguson

Lawmakers are pursuing a subcommittee hearing, a bill, and review of a Defense program, but nothing is expected to pass when senators return in September.

Oversight

How Jeff Sessions Became a Leader in the Immigration Fight

Republicans have been split over how to proceed on immigration since national leaders began to call for comprehensive reform.

Oversight

A Historically Unproductive Congress Inches Toward Finish Line

Appropriations bills are among the unfinished business; any burst of big-ticket legislation after the August recess looks unlikely.

Oversight

Senate Border Funding Bill Goes Down

Chamber heads home for recess unable to agree on an immigration measure.

Oversight

House GOP Leaders Pull Votes on Border-Funding Package

Decision represented a major embarrassment for Speaker John Boehner and his leadership team.

Oversight

Senate Remains Stalled on Spending Bills

A short-term measure will probably be necessary to keep government open after Sept. 30.

Management

Congress Tries to Cram in Border Response, VA Reforms Before Summer Recess

Hurdles remain before legislators leave for the summer.

Oversight

Both Parties Looking to Pare Down Obama's Border Funding

Senate Democrats propose to cut $1 billion from the president's request; House Republicans are expected to unveil an even deeper cut.

Defense

Behind Dianne Feinstein's Calculated Rebuke of the White House

Senate Intelligence Committee chairwoman went public with her anger in the hours after prisoner swap was revealed.

Defense

White House Knew Bergdahl Swap Would Go Through a Day Before It Happened

Top Senate Democrat says there was no time for the Obama administration to notify Congress 30-days in advance of the trade.

Management

In Wake of Scandal, VA Nominees Stuck in Senate Limbo

Key jobs remain vacant as the Senate deals with treatment of veterans and a backlog of nominees.

Oversight

IRS Scandal, Defense Policy Bill on Tap for a Tense Week on Hill

Nomination hearings for HHS secretary will also begin.

Pay & Benefits

The Politics of Process Plague Senate Vets Bill

A rift between Democrats and Republicans over amendments is threatening legislation that would reverse an unpopular cut to veterans’ pensions.

Management

Here's What's Happening After the Debt Ceiling: Nothing

As lawmakers head into Presidents Day recess, they have few big-ticket legislative aspirations this year, only a few accomplishments, and plenty of time to campaign.

Management

Senate Democrats Warn Republicans Against Debt-Ceiling Wish List

Republicans, however, have not committed to making demands in exchange for increasing the $17 trillion debt limit.

Oversight

Crusader Against Government Waste Cuts Senate Career Short

Tom Coburn, R-Okla., is battling a recurrence of cancer.

Oversight

Senators Eye Changes to Military Pension Provision in Budget Deal

The measure could be amended next year, before the pension cuts take effect.

Oversight

Appropriators Will Work Through the Holidays to Avoid a Shutdown

Congress must pass a spending package implementing the budget deal by Jan. 15.