How to Handicap a Campaign's Ground Game in 2014

This cycle, Democrats are counting heavily on registering new voters and turning out registered voters who otherwise don’t bother to vote during midterm elections. Republicans are also putting more emphasis on voter contact programs.

Capitol Police Chief: We Are Not the 'Media Police'

Capitol Police Chief Kim C. Dine clarified that his officers are not the “media police,” following a March 28 police-press run-in that nearly resulted in the arrest of a journalist.

Boston Bound: Capitol Hill Staffers Lace Up for Marathon

Kerry Allen knows what it’s like to go to work on only a few hours of sleep. The legislative assistant for Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., is up every morning before sunrise to log miles as part of her training plan for the upcoming Boston Marathon. Even on days when she does double-digit-mile runs, Allen is at her desk in the Hart Senate Office Building by 9 a.m.

Lax EPA Regulations Allow Biomass to Pollute More Than Coal | Topic A: Energy

A new study charges that government regulations for biomass plants are riddled with loopholes that allow wood-burning facilities to spew more toxic emissions in the air than coal-fired power plants.

Despite Capitol Renovations, Plenty of Action for Tourists on Campus

Congress has skipped town, so it’s time to cut a rug.

Ratings Change: Minnesota’s 2nd District

Rep. John Kline, R-Minn., was re-elected in 2012 with less than 55 percent in a district that Barack Obama won twice, making him an initial Democratic target.

Bachmann Endorses Emmer as Successor in Minnesota

Retiring Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., on Tuesday endorsed former state Rep. Tom Emmer as her successor in her soon-to-be former House seat, according to a local report.

Ratings Change: New York’s 18th District

By the numbers, New York’s 18th District isn’t solid-blue Democratic territory. But at this stage of the cycle, GOP optimism about defeating Democratic Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney is very low. And that lack of enthusiasm could indicate that former Rep. Nan Hayworth, a Republican, won’t get much financial support from outside groups for the stretch run this fall.

'Kissing Congressman' McAllister Ducks Tea Party Rally for Counseling

The governor, the chairman of his state party and a growing list of other Republicans (including, in all likelihood, the GOP leadership in the House — though they’ve yet to say so publicly) have asked him to step down, but Rep. Vance McAllister, for now, is trying to ride out the storm.

Can You Lie in Politics? Supreme Court Will Decide

The Supreme Court has made pretty clear that putting your money where your mouth is deserves broad protection as a form of free political speech. The justices are about to consider whether outright lying in a campaign deserves a similar First Amendment shield.

After Afghanistan, Boehner Heads for Abu Dhabi

John A. Boehner is using social media to document his recess-week overseas trip, posting videos and photos Monday of himself and seven other Republicans in Afghanistan and updating Tuesday with shots from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Clay Aiken Reports Fundraising for North Carolina House Campaign

Clay Aiken, an “American Idol” runner-up and Democratic long-shot running for Congress in North Carolina, reported raising $233,000 in the first quarter of this year.

Florida Special: Meet the Consulting Teams

The special-election primary in the race to replace former Rep. Trey Radel is only a week away. The Republican field is crowded — three organized candidates are in the mix — and as a result state and national consultants are involved.

Congress Takes Hands-Off Approach to Miriam Carey Shooting

Release of the final autopsy report for Miriam Carey, the 34-year-old dental hygienist who was shot outside the Capitol on Oct. 3 after a fast and furious car chase from the White House, has renewed calls for action from an attorney for her family.

Obama Not Considering Arms to Ukraine, Plans to Call Putin

Senators in both parties have said arms for Ukraine should be on the table as that country faces down a threat from Russian President Vladimir Putin, but President Barack Obama has no plans to go there.

Washington Responds to Passing of Nuala Pell, Widow of Former Rhode Island Senator

Nuala Pell, widow of former Rhode Island Sen. Claiborne Pell, passed away Sunday morning in Newport at age 89.

Rand Paul Endorses in Race to Replace Trey Radel

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., endorsed Republican businessman Curt Clawson in the upcoming special election for a House seat in Florida.

Ban on E-Cig Sales, Marketing to Children Pushed by Durbin, Waxman

E-cigarette sales and marketing to children will soon be banned and flavorings could be restricted by the federal government if two senior congressional Democrats get their way.

Arnie Thomas, Veteran Washington News Man, Dies at 66

Arnie Thomas, a former senior vice president at CQ Roll Call, former director of LEGI-SLATE at The Washington Post, president of the A Thomas Group and mentor to scores of people he worked with over the years, died of a heart attack on April 12. He was 66 years old.

Take Five: Pedro R. Pierluisi

It’s time again for Take Five, when HOH talks with a member of Congress about topics relatively unrelated to legislative work.

GOP Candidate's Response to Attacks? Silence and Ocean Waves

In the final week before a special primary in Florida, businessman Curt Clawson has a message for his opponents: silence.

The War of Obamacare Anecdotes in the 2014 Elections

A couple months ago on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal, I said that I thought the 2014 elections would be driven by anecdotes related to the Affordable Care Act. I think a pair of ads in two of the most competitive Senate races in the country could be a pretty accurate roadmap for the debate that is coming over the next six months.

Link Pro-Jobs Policies to a Responsible Extension of Unemployment Benefits | Commentary

Too many Americans are still struggling to find work in dismal job markets across this country. The unemployment rate remains unacceptably high at 6.7 percent and the number of Americans participating in the labor force has now dropped to levels not seen since the Carter Administration.

Highway Bill Could Consume Petri's Last Months in Congress

Rep. Tom Petri announced Friday that he will retire from Congress at the end of the year, and he’s poised to go out with a legislative bang — or a whimper.

• Tom Petri Announces Retirement

Role, Size of Energy Taxes Differs Across Western U.S. | Topic A: Energy

The Denver Post reports that “the Colorado shale oil boom is adding billions of dollars to oil company balance sheets and millions to the coffers in counties where drilling takes place — but it hasn’t amounted to much for the rest of the state.”

Congressional Hits and Misses: Week of April 7 (Video)

While senators explain their beef with cable TV and representatives talk about Big Macs, Majority Leader Harry Reid just cannot get enough Koch.

Israel: Elements of Republican Base 'Animated By Racism'

Rep. Steve Israel, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said Sunday “not all” of his Republican colleagues are racist.

Honda Challenger Releases Second Spot in California Race

Attorney Ro Khanna, a Democrat seeking to defeat longtime Rep. Michael M. Honda, D-Calif., has started to air his second advertisement of the race — a sign the challenger is becoming more aggressive ahead of a June primary.