Inside Politics

$More than 1,000 protesters were involved in a march on the New York State Capitol in Albany in August demanding that Gov. Andrew Cuomo ban fracking in the state. While the governor still hasn’t ruled, the state attorney general and six other East Coast states are suing for harsher air-quality rules on the oil and gas industry and its most effective drilling method. (Associated Press)$

Poll: New Yorkers split on fracking

Ben Wolfgang

As their governor weighs whether to allow fracking, New Yorkers are evenly split on whether the controversial drilling practice should be allowed in their state.

How the mighty fall: Ethically-challenged Rep. Charles Rangel in campaign debt

Luke Rosiak

In a case of the mighty having fallen, the campaign of Democratic Rep. Charlie Rangel, the dean of the New York Congressional delegation and a man who was for decades untouchable in his Harlem district, is $35,000 in debt but has only $5,000 in the bank and has received handouts from other House members.

EPA chief compares auto standard move to finding cigarette-cancer link

Ben Wolfgang

The Obama administration's push for higher auto fuel efficiency standards was as important a scientific step as the discovery that nicotine is addictive and that cigarettes cause cancer, a top administration official said.

Hagel: Military chaplains won't be forced to do same-sex marriages

Stephen Dinan

Chuck Hagel assured the Senate on Thursday that military chaplains will not be forced to conduct same-sex marriages they disagree with — though the defense secretary nominee said same-sex couples will have access to chapels.

GOP writes bill to halt recess appointment boards

Stephen Dinan

After last week's court decision holding that President Obama abused his recess appointment powers, Republican senators introduced a bill Thursday to enforce the ruling by stripping two boards of their ability to do business.

In lengthy farewell address, Kerry urges Senate colleagues to embrace compromise

Stephen Dinan

Sen. John F. Kerry took his leave of Congress on Wednesday disputing those who have fled the Senate as broken, saying the chamber isn't the problem — it's his fellow colleagues and their decisions that threaten its greatness.

Carney: No plans for Obama to attend slain Chicago teen's funeral

Dave Boyer

President Obama has no plans to attend the funeral for a 15-year-old Chicago girl who was shot to death a week after marching in the president's inaugural parade.

Texas bill would reward companies for balking at Obamacare

Tom Howell Jr.

A Texas lawmaker has introduced legislation that would provide state-level tax breaks to companies that flout a provision in President Obama's health care law that requires employers to cover contraception.

Reports: Giffords to testify at Judiciary Committee hearing

David Sherfinski

Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who was gravely wounded in a shooting at a constituent event in Tucson, Ariz., in January 2011 is expected to make a surprise appearance and testify at Wednesday's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on gun violence, according to multiple reports.

Report: FBI raids office of Florida doctor linked to Sen. Menendez

Stephen Dinan

The Miami Herald is reporting that the FBI on Tuesday night raided the office of a doctor whom news reports have linked with embattled Sen. Robert Menendez, the man poised to take over as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

House GOP members to Obama administration: Explain tax subsidies for health care enrollees

Tom Howell Jr.

A pair of powerful Republicans in the House sent yet another letter to the Treasury Department — their fourth so far — demanding documents related to the Obama administration's decision to extend tax subsidies to people who will enroll in federally run exchanges as part of the president's signature health care law.