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March 7, 2013 In 1957, Sen. Strom Thurmond prepared for his filibuster against civil rights legislation with steam baths — to become dehydrated so he wouldn't need a bathroom break. He got at least one chance to relieve himself, however. This week, Sen. Rand Paul gave up when nature's call became too urgent.

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March 7, 2013 The senator said he "would speak, until I can no longer speak," and he hit that wall early Thursday. His goal was to get the Obama administration to pledge it won't use drone attacks against American citizens on U.S. soil. He's put a bright spotlight on the issue.

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February 28, 2013 Friday's deadline looms and "oh, it's gonna happen," says one Republican congressman. We continue to scour news outlets for stories that help make sense of the sequester.

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February 26, 2013 As Friday's deadline approaches, we're pointing to stories that should help everyone get ready. Today's choices: "Sequester, never heard of it;" "when will the cuts be felt;" and "is Obama telling the truth?"

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January 9, 2013 Republican senators have said they may try to hold up John Brennan's nomination to be CIA director until they hear more about the attack on the U.S. mission in Benghazi and more about his views on "enhanced interrogation."

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December 27, 2012 President Obama has returned to Washington. The Senate is back in session. House Republicans have said they're willing to talk. But with just a few days to go, both sides are saying the other will be at fault if automatic tax hikes and spending cuts aren't averted.

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December 18, 2012 Some signs are pointing to an agreement being reached soon to avoid the automatic tax hikes and spending cuts. Of course, President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner have tried to strike a "grand bargain" before, only to have it fall apart.

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December 13, 2012 She has been the target of sharp criticism from many Republicans because of what they have charged were misleading statements she made in the days after the Sept. 11 attack on the U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya.

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December 11, 2012 As the White House and Congressional leaders negotiate, we're watching for the best stories about what's going on. Here are some of the latest.

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December 4, 2012 Talks continue about how to avoid automatic spending cuts and expiration of Bush-era tax reductions. If you're trying to keep up on what's going on, here are three more stories you should consider (we won't presume say they're "must reads). Also, two "bonus tracks."

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December 4, 2012 "Officials from a cross-section of agencies" tell The Wall Street Journal that references to al-Qaida were removed to protect sources. Those sources say the White House did not drive that decision. The wording, used by U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice, has come under criticism.

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November 20, 2012 The race between West, who joined the House during the 2010 conservative sweep, and Democrat Patrick Murphy will go down as one of the most expensive and bitter in history.

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November 14, 2012 The California Democrat says she want to focus on empowering women and boosting the economy. She says she also wants to concentrate on reducing the amount of money that's needed to be elected.

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November 13, 2012 Many demographic groups remain underrepresented in high-level government positions, including atheists — at least those out of the theistic closet. Commentator Tania Lombrozo wonders why atheists appear to be distrusted by the electorate.

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November 5, 2012 Everybody's looking ahead and trying to figure out just when we'll know who won the White House. If the race is as tight as polls suggest, it could be a long night. But here's a key thing to know about a key swing state: Ohio's polls are set to close at 7:30 p.m. ET.

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