For Boehner, an arduous weekend

For Boehner, an arduous weekend

House speaker must find a budget deal conservatives will accept and Democrats won’t eviscerate.

Column

The politicians at the Fed

The politicians at the Fed

No longer content to protect the economy, the Federal Reserve now purports to steer it.

Column

The GOP’s lose-lose proposition

The GOP’s lose-lose proposition

Republicans would take the blame for a government shutdown — with no benefit.

Bill Bransford, 'true friend' to feds, dies

Bill Bransford, 'true friend' to feds, dies

William L. Bransford, general counsel of the Senior Executives Association, died Friday, said an announcement from the organization and his law firm, Shaw Bransford

EPA would furlough 94 percent under shutdown

EPA would furlough 94 percent under shutdown

Only 5.4 percent of EPA employees would qualify as "excepted" or "exempt" if a shutdown occurs, according to the agency's contingency plan.

Shutdown semantics: ‘essential’ or ‘excepted’ workers?

Federal workers miffed at being labeled “non-essential” might prefer the term “non-excepted.” But maybe we need a new term?

Column

Become President One Note

Become President One Note

Obama should take a page from the George W. Bush playbook.

Patent and Trademark Office would remain open with shutdown

Patent and Trademark Office would remain open with shutdown

Patent and Trade Office Deputy Director Teresa Stanek Rea said the agency could remain open "for at least a few weeks" due to reserve fee collections.

How secure is the U.S. Trade Rep’s headquarters?

How secure is the U.S. Trade Rep’s headquarters?

Demonstrators scale USTR headquarters to unfurl banners against pending trade agreement

John Boehner, back under pressure

John Boehner, back under pressure

Boehner has at least three crucial decisions to make heading into a pivotal weekend.

A guide to Obamacare claims

A guide to Obamacare claims

Confused by the claims about Obamacare? Check out our handy guide to the rhetoric.

Government shutdown would still entail costs

Government shutdown would still entail costs

The government and the private sector would both pay a price, experts say.

Column

Agencies prepare to furlough workers

Agencies prepare to furlough workers

Agencies tell workers who will work and who won’t if parts of government shutter due to Congress inaction.

Column

GOP’s citizenship suppression

GOP’s citizenship suppression

A second-class America could be created.

Column

GOP’s compromised reputation

GOP’s compromised reputation

The party forgets the Constitution is based on finding common ground.

Column

The real Rouhani

The real Rouhani

Iran’s president and the centrifuges are both spinning.

Column

In the Loop: Too close for comfort — or security

In the Loop: Too close for comfort — or security

Near the White House, activists looking to protest a trade agreement got a lot farther than they expected.

Column

Obama’s cold realism

Obama’s cold realism

If the president ever was a foreign policy idealist, he’s not one now.

Column

Looking to block Obamacare, GOP is party in search of a strategy

Looking to block Obamacare, GOP is party in search of a strategy

Republicans take grievances over Obamacare to the brink

What’s changed for women donors and candidates (and what hasn’t) in one study

What’s changed for women donors and candidates (and what hasn’t) in one study

When it comes to political donors, the gap between men and women has not moved much.

Federal workers: Are you an ‘essential’ employee?

Federal workers: Are you an ‘essential’ employee?

If you could make a pitch to your boss for why you should continue working during a shutdown, what would it be?

Why do we have a debt ceiling anyway? (VIDEO)

Why do we have a debt ceiling anyway? (VIDEO)

The nation’s credit card, explained

Obama looking to replace energy commission nominee

Obama looking to replace energy commission nominee

Ron Binz, embattled Obama nominee for energy job, may be dropping out.

How the government shutdown showdown is a game of ping-pong

How the government shutdown showdown is a game of ping-pong

The question is whether the ball will stop moving in time to prevent a government shutdown.

No, people don’t understand the budget. But the polls still matter -- a lot.

No, people don’t understand the budget. But the polls still matter -- a lot.

People may not understand the budget process, but their perception of it is still hugely important.

What’s in an agency shutdown plan?

What’s in an agency shutdown plan?

Among other things, agencies must submit summaries of activities that will continue and those that will cease.

Stripping’s no obstacle to security clearance

Stripping’s no obstacle to security clearance

A once-and-future stripper seeks advice on passing a security-clearance check.

Feds will be told who is furloughed and who is not

Federal agencies will begin telling employees on Friday if they will be required to work or be furloughed during the shutdown,

House braces for shutdown: shoe shine, fancy dining room to shutter

House braces for shutdown: shoe shine, fancy dining room to shutter

Many of the perks of being a member of Congress would disappear under the House’s plan for a government shutdown.

Stephen Colbert on Ted Cruz’s marathon speech (VIDEO)

Stephen Colbert on Ted Cruz’s marathon speech (VIDEO)

“What makes it truly courageous: The bill was his idea, and it’s not really a filibuster.“