Common Cause accuses conservative group of lobbying, seeks IRS probe

The government watchdog group Common Cause has asked the Internal Revenue Service to investigate the tax status of the nonprofit American Legislative Exchange Council, or ALEC, an association of conservative state legislators and private sector officials that churns out hundreds of bills and resolutions annually to pare back regulation and promote business.

Sarah Palin raised $1.6 million for PAC this year

Sarah Palin's political action committee raised more than $1.6 million in the first half of the year, it announced Thursday.

FBI opens probe into activities of Murdoch's News Corp.

Responding to allegations from several Washington lawmakers, the FBI has opened an investigation into whether Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. attempted to hack into the telephones of victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and the families of those who died.

For now, polling favors Obama in debt debate

As Americans more closely monitor the negotiations in Washington over the debt ceiling, new polling suggests that President Obama may have a narrow advantage over Republicans in the debate over spending and taxes, though it may be fleeting.

Rudy Giuliani: If I run again, 'I'd try to win'

Arriving for his fourth visit to New Hampshire this year, former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani said he would decide by the end of the summer whether to mount another run for the presidency, and described President Obama's economic policies as disastrous for the country.

Opponents of raising debt ceiling risk government breakdown, study says

Conservatives such as Rep. Michele Bachmann who contend that the United States will be able meet its primary obligations if Aug. 2 passes without a deal on raising the debt ceiling are, in a sense, advocating for a partial shutdown of the federal government, according to an analysis by a Washington think tank.

Camp David summit ruled out as parties seek to revive debt talks

House Speaker John Boehner has rejected as unnecessary the possibility of sequestering congressional leaders at Camp David this weekend to resolve the impasse on raising the debt ceiling.

Judge declares mistrial in Roger Clemens perjury case

The judge in the Roger Clemens federal perjury trial abruptly declared a mistrial on the second day of testimony after the government inadvertently allowed the jury to hear statements from a U.S. congressman discussing the credibility of one of the key witnesses against the former All-Star baseball pitcher.

Sarah Palin on debt ceiling: 'Reload,' don't 'retreat'

Sarah Palin is reloading—again.

Default risk widens rift within GOP

The once-vaunted unity of congressional Republicans has become a distant memory, crumbling under the pressure of the deadline to raise the government's credit limit.

Janice Hahn savors victory as she looks forward to 2012

Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn won't have much time to savor her victory in Tuesday's special election for a South Bay-area congressional seat before she has to run again — and in a district that could soon see significant changes.