INSIDE POLITICS
The Washington Times' political blog.
Latest Blog Entries
Sen. Heidi Heitkamp: Can't let party primaries trump negotiations
Sen. Heidi Heitkamp said Thursday said the recent stalemate over spending and the debt limit "destroyed Americans' confidence" in the U.S. economy and Congress as an institution, so lawmakers better put reform ahead of their own political ambitions.
Sen. Thad Cochran may face Republican primary challenge
A state lawmaker from Mississippi is set to announce Thursday whether he will challenge Sen. Thad Cochran in a Republican primary next year.
Sen. John McCain says government won't shut down again anytime soon
Sen. John McCain predicted on Thursday that Washington has been chastened enough by its recent ordeal that it will not let the federal government go dark again anytime soon.
Ex-Fla. Gov. Jeb Bush: Too much focus on Washington while states drive the agenda
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said Republicans on Capitol Hill could take a cue from conservative governors across the country who are focusing on changing how government works, including education reform
New N.J. Sen. Cory Booker says he's a 'scrapper' looking to get things done
Cory Booker, newly elected senator of New Jersey, said Thursday he is a "scrapper" who can get things done alongside the "good people" from both sides of the aisle.
Sen. Angus King: Now the hard work begins
Sen. Angus King compared Congress on Thursday to a kid who hits his head against a tree and explains that he does it because "it feels so good when I stop."
Rep. Nancy Pelosi: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was a 'master at work'
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday that a budget conference between the House and Senate might start within days, if not immediately, after the Senate announced a deal to reopen the government and raise the debt limit.
Sen. Chuck Schumer offers muted praise for shutdown deal
New York Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer said Wednesday was not a day for celebration, even though the Senate reached a deal that will likely end the government shutdown and raise the country's debt limit after weeks of gridlock.
Barclays says U.S. govt. could run through end of October without debt deal
Barclays, a major financial services company, said Wednesday the federal government will have enough money to keep paying its bills through the end of this month, which would mean about two weeks' extra time beyond the deadline the Treasury Department set for when it said it needed to have the debt ceiling raised.
Sen. Sanders predicts shutdown 'nightmare' will end
Sen. Bernie Sanders said Wednesday he is "cautiously optimistic" the Senate will pass a deal to reopen the government and raise the debt limit alongside a House vote that cobbles together enough votes from Republicans and Democrats.
Obamacare a little less unpopular, Gallup poll finds
Half of polled Americans want to see the new health care law repealed or scaled back, a drop from the 57 percent who felt that way in January 2011, according to Gallup.
GOP Sen. Ron Johnson hits emerging debt deal
Sen. Ron Johnson, Wisconsin Republican, said Wednesday he is unlikely to vote for the new deal to reopen the government and raise the debt limit because it does nothing to reduce the nation's debt in the long term, although he expects it to gain full Democratic support.
We miss Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison: Houston Chronicle
The Houston Chronicle has published an opinion article that pines for the days when Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison represented Texas, offering up a harsh rebuke of her successor, Sen. Ted Cruz.
Sen. Joe Manchin: You don't shut down government over political complaints
Sen. Joe Manchin III said Wednesday that he and other lawmakers have complaints about key issues — such as how coal power has been addressed by the Obama administration — but shutting down the government over them is not a good policy.
Park issues shutdown tickets — for parking at ranger station
Olympic National Park rangers issued $125 tickets this week to drivers who pulled into a ranger station at the park in Washington state.
