Presidential Hopefuls Skirt FEC Rules | Rules of the Game

With only a couple of exceptions, the nearly 20 hopefuls eyeing the Oval Office are "likely violating" Federal Election Commission regulations that impose strict limits on candidates testing the waters of a White House bid, said Paul Ryan, senior counsel at the Campaign Legal Center.

Boehner Reminds Members Again to Dress Appropriately (Video)

Eleven months to the day after Speaker John A. Boehner reminded members to wear “appropriate business attire” on the House floor, the Ohio Republican was singing a familiar tune Wednesday.

Private Plane Rides Have Bumpy Congressional History

Among the serious accusations of improper spending leveled at Rep. Aaron Schock since The Washington Post shined a spotlight on his “Downton Abbey”-themed office are at least a dozen flights aboard his political donors’ private planes.

Kerry Bentivolio Files for Bankruptcy

Fewer than two months after the Santa Claus impersonator and reindeer farmer who represented southeast Michigan for one term left Congress, the tea party-inspired Republican has filed for bankruptcy.

Officer Morale a Hot Topic for Capitol Police at Appropriations Hearing

Low morale among Capitol Police was a hot topic for law enforcement officials on Wednesday during a series of panels convened by the House lawmakers who set the department’s budget.

A Former Senior Senate GOP Leader Is Ready for a Comeback. Who Knew?

He’s looking a little tan, sounding rested and signaling he’s ready. He’s a former senator from a big swing state who was a senior member of the congressional leadership. He was even the runner-up for his party’s presidential nomination last cycle.

The Selma to Montgomery Bicycle Ride: Civil Rights and Bamas

LOWNDES COUNTY, Ala. — A partial list of things not present at the 1965 Selma to Montgomery march: A drone mini-copter, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama,” Viola Liuzzo’s roadside memorial.

D.C. Stands Up to Congress on Marijuana Legalization (Updated)

As of 12:01 a.m. Thursday, the District of Columbia will legalize marijuana, despite warnings from two congressional Republicans that doing so would break the law and could lead to possible prison time for D.C. officials.

Lawmaker's Quest for Cookie Crumbles

In a truly devastating blow, Rep. Scott Rigell came up empty-handed Wednesday in his search for a cookie from the House Carry-Out, a setback that’s likely to drag down the rest of his day, maybe even the rest of his week.

Fears of Chaos Mount Over Obamacare Case

There’s no shortage of dire predictions about what would happen if the Supreme Court strikes down the system for awarding subsidies to people seeking insurance under the 2010 health care law.

• Fate of Obamacare Hinges on Six Words

Wasserman Schultz Fillets House Counsel Over Cost of Boehner Lawsuit

The top Democrat on the House Appropriations Legislative Branch Subcommittee took advantage of a rare opportunity to grill the chamber’s top lawyer on the cost of Speaker John A. Boehner’s lawsuit against President Barack Obama.

House Democrats Get Better Odds in California Senate Race

A few House Democrats have found more favorable odds in California’s Senate race after former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa eschewed a bid for the open seat.

Durbin Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Airplane Smoking Ban

Everyone who flies on a commercial airliner has heard the announcement that tampering with an airplane’s lavatory smoke detector is a federal offense.

Kaine Won't Attend Netanyahu Speech

Sen. Tim Kaine is the latest Democrat to announce he will not attend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to a joint meeting of Congress next week.

Remembrance of Shutdowns Past

Republicans scored big gains in the 2010 and 2014 elections because both of those midterms were about President Barack Obama and the Democratic Party. Democrats had successful elections in 2006, 2008 and 2012 primarily because they made those elections about the GOP and George W. Bush, John McCain and Mitt Romney.

Could Reid Sport Shades on Senate Floor?

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid can sport his sunglasses inside, but can he wear such wayfarers on the Senate floor?

• Reid Wears His Sunglasses Inside

The Democrats' Lost Opportunity in Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Walk into any barbecue place in the South and you’re pretty certain to find walls of fame and photos of the area’s local sports heroes. Dine at Carlile’s BBQ here in Magic City and you’ll see prominent politicians, mostly rock-ribbed Republicans, interspersed among the likes of Joe Namath, Bart Starr and Bear Bryant.

Corker, Menendez on Bipartisan Campaign to End Modern-Day Slavery

The leaders of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee are pushing for lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to rally behind an international effort to raise $1.5 billion to end slavery around the globe.

Democrats Skeptical Ted Strickland Will Face Primary

Updated 4:48 p.m. | Former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, a Democrat who is expected to announce a bid against Republican Sen. Rob Portman Wednesday, may get a clear shot at the nomination.

• Ted Strickland Announces Senate Run in Ohio

Norton: Don't Tread on the Right to Sled

After reports that Capitol Police had stopped children from sledding on the Capitol grounds, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., is taking a stand.

K Street Donors Make Early White House Picks | K Street Files

They’re not billionaire industrialists poised to bankroll millions in the 2016 campaign, but K Street still matters to the crop of aspiring presidential candidates.

Special Election Set for Mississippi Congressman's District

A special election in Mississippi’s 1st District will take place on May 12, according to The Associated Press. The winner will succeed the late Rep. Alan Nunnelee, a Republican who died on Feb. 6 after a battle with brain cancer.

California's Outsider-Turned-Insider Tasked With Youth Outreach

Rep. Eric Swalwell got to Washington three years ago by taking on the establishment: Instead of waiting for Pete Stark, who was 80 at the time, to retire, Swalwell went after the 20-term Democratic incumbent.

• Why This Member Has Rubber Ducks on His Desk

Duckworth Back at Work Following Maternity Leave

Congress has yet another working mom to add to its ranks.

Maureen McDonnell Offers Cautionary Tale for Congressional Spouses

Virginia’s former first lady, Maureen McDonnell, is heading to prison for a year and a day after she was found guilty of trading favors in return for loans, vacations and gifts. Her husband, former Gov. Bob McDonnell, has also been sentenced and is appealing the ruling. A onetime GOP star, his career is likely over.

Russ Feingold Hints at Senate Bid in Final State Department Speech

Former Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., hinted at a possible comeback bid in his final speech as an U.S. envoy to Africa for the State Department.