Polls, interesting research by political scientists, demographics and the intricacies of complex newsworthy policies are some of the topics we follow.
by Ari Shapiro
Organizing for Action — a group that formed out of President Obama's re-election campaign — has focused its ire on Republicans it calls "climate change deniers." But some environmentalists are frustrated with the president himself on issues like the Keystone pipeline.
by David Welna
The bipartisan immigration overhaul proposed by the Senate's Gang of Eight has been the target of scores of amendments. So far, the bill has largely held its own, but its prospects for getting through Congress are uncertain.
by Ron Elving
The sudden eruption of second-term scandals in his administration will have many costs for President Obama, but surely the most grievous will be the lost opportunity to transcend the partisan wars of Washington, his fondest dream for his second term, much as it was for his first. Now it seems destined to be dashed once again.
©2013 NPR
by Frank James
This was the critical moment, the brief time between his inaugural and when the nation's collective focus turns to whom his successor will be, when President Obama had to make real progress on his second-term agenda. Instead, controversies have intruded, eating up precious time.
by Alan Greenblatt
President Obama may not like the bills Congress considers, but he rarely vetoes them. In fact, Obama has vetoed fewer pieces of legislation than any president since Martin Van Buren. It's not just because Congress is sending him fewer bills.
President Obama lost Texas by more than 1 million votes last year. But Democrats believe their fortunes in the state may soon be changing, thanks to demographics and a new organizational push.
by Matt Stiles
New details from a Census survey shows just how much more diverse the American electorate is becoming, with political implications still to come.
by Ailsa Chang
The Senate is considering legislation to prevent a global helium shortage from worsening in October. That's when the Federal Helium Program is set to terminate.
by Brian Naylor
When Americans marry noncitizens, their spouses become eligible for green cards and many of the benefits of citizenship — unless the couples are gay or lesbian. Some Democrats are hoping to extend the same benefits to same-sex couples by amending the immigration bill before the Senate.
The Congressional Budget Office projects the deficit will drop below 4 percent of GDP next year and below 2.5 percent in 2015. Still, despite the improvement in the short run, the federal government faces long-term deficits, mostly tied to health care costs.
