GOP Could Force Vote to Negate Obamacare Carve-Out for Unions

Senate Republicans have at least one arrow in their quiver to force an uncomfortable Obamacare vote for Democrats seeking re-election in 2014.

Reid, Durbin Accuse GOP of Putting Koch Brothers Ahead of Ukrainians

Senate Democratic leaders lit into Republicans Thursday over reports of an effort to tie aid to Ukraine to a move to block the IRS from clamping down on the political activities of tax-exempt groups.

New Hampshire House Backs D.C. Voting Rights

The District’s right to full-fledged voting membership in Congress got a thumbs up in New Hampshire on Thursday.

Paul Ryan Says His 'Inner City' Comments Were 'Inarticulate'

House Budget Chairman Paul D. Ryan responded Thursday to criticism that he engaged in racial rhetoric when talking about his philosophy on poverty, saying that he was “inarticulate” in the point he was trying to make.

Mike Simpson Launches First TV Ad of Cycle

Rep. Mike Simpson, an eight-term Idaho Republican facing a tea-party-backed primary challenger, went up Thursday with his first TV ad of the cycle.

Graham to Kerry: 'Let Me Know What I Can Do' to Help With Boehner (Video)

Following remarks Wednesday from Speaker John A. Boehner saying IMF aid to Ukraine is unnecessary, Sen. Lindsey Graham personally offered assistance to Secretary of State John Kerry as the House and Senate continue to debate the appropriate response to the Ukrainian crisis.

Ethics Committee Gets New Staff Director

The Ethics Committee announced a major staffing decision Thursday, with a longtime committee staffer becoming the staff director and chief counsel.

Marines, Navy Outline Budget Cut Risks | Topic A: Defense

Stars and Stripes reports that “Navy and Marine Corps leaders warned lawmakers about the consequences of further defense cuts Wednesday, as the Navy struggles to return to a 300-ship fleet.”

White House, Democrats Cry Foul Over GOP Push to Enforce Immigration, Other Laws

A House Republican bill aimed at forcing President Barack Obama to enforce immigration and other laws as they are written drew sharp rebukes Wednesday from the White House and House Democrats, who ripped the measure as anti-immigrant.

Will U.S. Fracked Gas Help Ukraine? | Topic A: Energy

Scientific American reports that Ukraine’s “vulnerability” with Russia over energy “may not persist indefinitely… In fact, this could conceivably be the last time Moscow will be able to use gas as a weapon. The world’s fracking-enabled natural gas boom may, over time, upset this status quo, if not as soon as U.S. politicians would like because fracked gas cannot serve as a bargaining chip in the current crisis.”

Dingell Has 'Minimally Invasive' Heart Procedure in Detroit Hospital (Updated)

Updated 12:55 p.m. | Rep. John D. Dingell underwent a “minimally invasive” heart procedure today at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and is “resting comfortably,” according to his office.

Can Cantor Deliver on Voting Rights Act?

After two trips to the Deep South alongside civil rights icon and Georgia Democrat John Lewis, the pressure is on Eric Cantor to deliver on the Voting Rights Act.

Wrap-up: The D.C. Experience at SXSW

AUSTIN, Texas — The doors to South By Southwest Interactive closed Tuesday after five days of nonstop events, just as the madding crowds for the music festival started arriving.

Feinstein Shifts Slow-Burning Anger From Guns to Spies

Few senators wait until their 80s, or the start of their third decade in office, to have their breakout moment. But that’s what this past year has been for Dianne Feinstein.

• Pelosi Praises Feinstein
• Obama Wants to Avoid CIA-Senate Crossfire
• Chambliss May Call for Special Investigator (Video)

Pelosi: Obamacare Not to Blame for Alex Sink's Defeat

Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi rejected the premise that Democrat Alex Sink’s loss to Republican David Jolly in Tuesday night’s Florida special election was a referendum on Obamacare.

Republicans Fundraise for Gay House Candidates

Some Republican House members, pundits and activists raised money this week for two openly gay House candidates running in competitive districts.

Young N.H. Republican Sees No Reason to Wait on House Bid (Video)

State Rep. Marilinda Garcia, who is running in New Hampshire's 2nd District, is the sort of the candidate — and voter — that national Republicans are desperately trying to bring into the party fold.

Data Breach Response May Be Limited to Notification

In the aftermath of major hacking attacks at retail giants Target and Neiman Marcus, lawmakers have been searching for a way to move forward on data security legislation and seem to have arrived on one area of limited bipartisan consensus — creating a federal standard requiring companies to disclose data breaches.

Ukraine Aid Bill Faces Filibuster Threat

Senate Democrats expect to face procedural hurdles on a package of assistance to Ukraine that moved out of the Foreign Relations Committee Wednesday afternoon.

Unemployment Benefits Extension Vote Likely Delayed

Roughly 2 million workers whose unemployment insurance benefits have expired will likely have to wait until late March or early April for the Senate to vote again on an extension, Democrats and Republicans said.

Grayson Restraining Order Dropped

Rep. Alan Grayson’s estranged wife has voluntarily dropped a restraining order against him, according to a statement from his office.

Democrats Duel for Open House Seat in Iowa

In a state that was expected to play host to multiple competitive contests this year, Democrats are dueling for the nomination — and most likely, the seat — in northeastern Iowa’s open 1st District.

Bearnaise Evolves With the Neighborhood

Back when he was the driving force behind only two budding hospitality concepts, Capitol Hill restaurateur Spike Mendelsohn looked around his slice of Southeast D.C. and figured the place could use some razzle-dazzle.

Is Solar Energy Really a ‘Boutique Fantasy’? | Topic A: Energy

Nancy Folbre debunks a common misconception that solar is a niche industry that is not economically viable.

Issa Wants to Go Further on Height Act

One of the District’s chief advocates in the House gave some unsolicited guidance to Mayor Vincent Gray and the D.C. Council on Wednesday.

Take the Good With the Bad: Former Reporter Speaks Out

It’s not every day someone chronicles the aftermath of a fall from grace.

Landrieu: Flood Insurance Decided Florida's Special Election

Sen. Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., said Wednesday that she believes flood insurance legislation was the deciding factor in Tuesday’s special election in Florida, not health care.

• Jolly Wins Special, Florida's 13th Now Leans Republican
• Steve Israel Lobbies Sink to Run in the Fall

McConnell Supports Kentucky Ballot Change Pushed by Paul to Allow Multiple Candidacies

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he supports legislation passed by a Kentucky Senate committee Wednesday to change the state’s election law to allow one candidate to run in multiple federal races on the same ballot.

Senate to Pentagon: Why All These Spare Parts You Don’t Need? | Topic A: Defense

Stars and Stripes reports that “the Senate wants answers from Pentagon officials on why the Defense Department spent more than $754 million last fiscal year on parts it didn’t need.”

Gray: Whom Do You Trust? Me or 'Greedy' 'Uncle Earl'?

With corruption allegations threatening to derail his campaign for the April 1 primary, Mayor Vincent Gray is putting his reputation up against “Uncle Earl.”

• Prosecutors Allege Gray Personally Solicited 'Uncle Earl' for Shadow Campaign
• 'Uncle Earl' Plea Details Secret Money to 28 Local and Federal Candidates
• D.C. Businessman Tied to 2010 Mayoral Campaign, Federal Candidate Faces Corruption Charges