Howard Coble Wields Influence in North Carolina Race

Outgoing Rep. Howard Coble, R-N.C., has become a fixture in the GOP runoff to determine his successor in the 6th District.

Health Insurance for Congress and Staff: It's Complicated

As members of Congress and their staffs head into their second year of enrollment in D.C.’s health exchange, they’ll decide among plans that range from a double-digit increase to a double-digit percent decrease in premiums, even as providers go in different directions that will result in fewer overall plans to choose from.

'Nicky Joe' Bets Political Survival on His Local Brand

LOGAN, W.Va. — The West Virginia Freedom Festival offered choices for Confederate flag accessories: jewelry, belts, pins and oven mitts. A couple blocks away, in the shadow of a “Hillbilly Mobile Zipline” platform, a Tennessee-based vendor called for a treason trial and eventual public execution of President Barack Obama.

• Shelley Moore Capito Campaigns Amid Father's Complicated Legacy

Harry Reid Torches House Leaders Over VA, Lawsuit, Benghazi (Video)

House Republican leaders are acting like one-time LA Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, “kicking dirt at the umpire” to distract the nation, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Wednesday morning.

Cuban Conspiracy Aside, Menendez Troubles Remain

In the short term, anyway, the tide of good news seems to have turned in favor of Robert Menendez.

Democrats' Hobby Lobby Response Would Curtail Religious Freedom Law (Video)

If Sen. Patty Murray and fellow Democrats get their way, employers wouldn’t be able to use a 1990s-era law to avoid Obamacare health coverage mandates for contraception.

Woodall Wins Unopposed Election to Interim RSC Chairman

Rep. Rob Woodall of Georgia was unanimously selected to be the chairman of the Republican Study Committee for the remainder of the 113th Congress.

Embezzlement Charges Against Capitol Police Officer Stir Up Criticism of Department Hiring

A guilty plea to embezzlement charges from the head of the Capitol Police’s Office of Diversity provoked U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Judge Richard J. Leon to exclaim, “I’ve never seen anything like this in my 12 years here.”

Obama's $4B Bill for Border Surge Gets Frosty Reception on the Right

Reaction to President Barack Obama’s request for almost $4 billion in emergency funds to deal with the Texas border crisis was met with skepticism Tuesday by most Republicans, but especially by hard-liners who have consistently blamed White House policies for the surge in illegal immigration.

• Obama Asking Congress for $4.3 Billion for Border Crisis, Wildfires
• A Tale of Two Congressional Visits to the Southwest Border
• Obama Still Needs Congress to Show Him the Money

Mitch McConnell: It's Clear Thad Cochran Won Mississippi Runoff

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky dismissed allegations from Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, of impropriety in the Mississippi Republican primary — but noted it’s an issue for state officials to decide.

• Chris McDaniel Campaign Wants Runoff Redo

RNC 2016 Convention Heads to Cleveland

The Republican National Convention is headed to The Cleve in 2016.

• Chowing Down, Cleveland-Style

Members in Waiting: The 20 Candidates Headed to D.C.

Perhaps by design, and maybe because of circumstance, Jim Risch remains among the least recognized senators after almost six years on the job. But, given the course of his path to Congress, he was at a big disadvantage from the start — if getting noticed was his desire.

Did House Travel Disclosure Rules Change? | A Question of Ethics

Q. I am hoping you can clear up some confusion about the controversy over news that the House Ethics Committee changed the rules to limit Members’ disclosure of gifts of free travel on annual financial disclosure forms. The reactions seemed all over the place. Some said that it was a big step backwards. Others said that nothing really changed. So, what’s the story?

Postmortem on the 'Patent Troll' Bill: Leahy Says Reid Killed It

When Sen. Patrick J. Leahy abruptly shelved legislation targeted at companies that file abusive patent infringement lawsuits back in May, the Vermont Democrat said it was because of a lack of consensus from stakeholders. But in an an interview with a home-state newspaper Leahy said he was “furious” that Majority Leader Harry Reid effectively shelved the bill.

Waiting for the 'SuperJob'

Like your job? But what if there is something out there even better for you — fancier title, higher tax bracket, maybe even a MacBook Air? How do you decide when to leave a good job for something that could be better? Hill Navigator discusses.

NRCC Touts 11 More 'Young Gun' Candidates

The National Republican Congressional Committee promoted 11 more candidates to ‘Young Gun’ status Tuesday morning, elevating their campaigns to the highest level of the program that provides organizational and fundraising support in top House contests.

• Sean Patrick Maloney Turns in Another Strong Fundraising Quarter

Jared Polis and Dan Maffei Welcome New Daughters

For Reps. Jared Polis, D-Colo., and Dan Maffei, D-N.Y., the past Fourth of July weekend was remembered for more than fireworks and American flags. The dads each celebrated births of their daughters, skipping out on typical Independence Day festivities.

Boehner Moving Toward Late-July Obama Lawsuit Vote

Speaker John A. Boehner of Ohio is moving cautiously toward a late-July vote to authorize a lawsuit against President Barack Obama, juggling legal and political considerations as he tries to check executive power and stoke the Republican base.

Boozy Treats, Sweaty Pits Await Rooftop Deck Caucus

Holland & Knight on Thursday will once again play host to the “Rooftop Deck Caucus,” the informal nickname for the throng of fun-seeking congressional staffers that flood the lobbying firm’s sun-splashed offices each summer.

D.C. Activists Declare Independence From Andy Harris

If you face less traffic on your July Fourth escape to Ocean City, you can thank the activists at DC Vote. The champions of local autonomy are recruiting D.C. residents to boycott the beach in defense of Home Rule.