INSIDE POLITICS
The Washington Times' political blog.
Latest Blog Entries
Donald Trump tells GOP to stick together amid rocky seas, shutdown
The Republican Party's No. 1 gadfly, Donald Trump, has some advice for right-leaning politicians attempting to wade through the government shutdown and potential default of America's debts.
Feds' 'Solar Decathlon' goes on despite shutdown
The government may be shut down but the sun still shines on the Energy Department, which is running the Solar Decathlon, a contest for solar-powered houses.
White House: No 'venom' toward tea party despite clashes
The White House in recent days has hammered tea party Republicans in the House for their role in the government shutdown, but that apparently doesn't mean the administration harbors any deep-seated ill will toward the group.
Top Dem says party can provide most House votes to end shutdown now
Rep. Steve Israel, New York Democrat, said that House Democrats can provide the vast majority of votes needed to pass a "clean" spending bill to keep the House open, rejecting the current House GOP strategy of focusing on small-bore bill targeting key sectors of the shuttered federal bureaucracy.
Obama gives shutdown talk during D.C. lunch run
President Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden on Friday afternoon visited a downtown Washington sandwich shop to grab some lunch and also, they said, to show support for federal workers off the job because of the government shutdown.
Swamped Obamacare site notes customers can sign up by phone
A federal website that is supposed to connect uninsured Americans with coverage options under Obamacare, besieged by visitors since its launch on Tuesday, is now letting customers know they can also sign up by phone.
Sen. Wicker: Republicans will not come away from budget fight empty-handed
As the government shutdown goes into its fourth day, Sen. Roger Wicker, Mississippi Republican, said that there has to be give and take between the two parties, neither of which are willing to give up on their set of requests.
Rep. Marsha Blackburn: Piecemeal approach to reopening government is not about winners and losers
Rep. Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee Republican, said that the House plan to open the government agency by agency is fiscally responsible and is not a case of picking winners and losers, as many Democrats have accused.
Rep. Tim Huelskamp says he'll vote no on debt ceiling unless it restricts Obamacare
Rep. Tim Huelskamp, Kansas Republican, said he would vote against raising the debt ceiling before the government runs out of money on Oct. 17 unless he sees a long-term fiscal plan to balance the budget that also puts some restrictions on Obamacare.
GOP congressman backtracks on shutdown 'disrespected' comment
Rep. Marlin Stutzman on Thursday tried to walk back his comment this week that Republicans are fighting the spending battle because the GOP was "disrespected," but Democrats seized on his remark, mockingly apologizing to the Indiana congressman.
GOP lawmaker: Congress has right to change course on Obamacare
Rep. Alan Nunnelee, Mississippi Republican, said it's not unreasonable to think Congress could change Obamacare as part of a government funding deal because Congress has changed laws in the past, like slavery and Prohibition.
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Democratic party head, keeping Hill pay during shutdown
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Florida Democrat and chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, will continue to collect her salary during the government shutdown that has furloughed 800,000 federal workers without pay.
Mitch McConnell fields fire from ranks: ‘Leadership vacuum’
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell fielded fire from within his own ranks in a recent closed-door meeting, when conservative colleague Sen. Tom Coburn reportedly questioned his leadership skills and ability to control Obamacare dissenters in the party.
Sen. Claire McCaskill: House Speaker John Boehner needs to 'get some courage'
Sen. Claire McCaskill, Missouri Democrat, said GOP House Speaker John A. Boehner needs to demonstrate "courage" and stop being afraid that far-right extremists will strip him of the speakership.
RNC: We'll pay to keep National World War II Memorial open
The Republican National Committee is offering to cover the cost of keeping the World War II Memorial on the National Mall open, a day after a group of veterans broke through a police barricade to visit the site, which had been closed as part of the government shutdown.
