INSIDE POLITICS
The Washington Times' political blog.
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Home for Christmas — Part II
In a reversal, it is House Republicans who have fled Washington to get home for Christmas, while the Senate remains in town Friday to continue working on its business.
Obama calls for grass-roots campaign for gun control
President Obama is calling for a sustained national grass-roots campaign for gun control and other measures to curb an outbreak of mass shootings like the one last Friday at Sandy Hook Elementary school.
Sanford to run for open U.S. House seat
Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, whose rising political star suddenly collapsed in a bizarre sex scandal, will reportedly attempt a political comeback starting within the next few days.
White House: Not sure whether NRA will be a part of gun-violence task force
The White House has yet to say whether the National Rifle Association will be included in Vice President Joseph R. Biden's new task force for curbing gun violence in the nation.
White House defends Hagel's reputation
The White House publicly defended the reputation of former Sen. Chuck Hagel, a top contender for defense secretary, even though he has yet to formally be nominated to the post.
Obama's approval rating at three-year high
President Obama's approval rating is shooting up in the days following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, and is now at its highest point since 2009, according to the latest Gallup tracking poll.
Rep. Hunter calls for Americans to boycott Mexico
Rep. Duncan Hunter, a California Republican and Marine combat veteran, called on Americans Thursday to boycott Mexico until that nation releases Jon Hammar, a former U.S. marine, from prison.
Congress goes home for Christmas?
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Thursday he plans to send his chamber home for Christmas and then reconvene on Dec. 27 to try to work through the "fiscal cliff" — even as House Republicans said they'll keep their troops in town to try to strike a deal.
Pelosi: 'Chained CPI' is not a benefit cut
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi may not be a fan of reducing future Social Security cost-of-living increases to seniors, but she said Wednesday that it doesn't count as a benefit cut.
Poll: Gun ban less effective than adding more police to stop shootings
Americans say the best way to stop mass shootings like last week's school rampage in Connecticut is to increase police at schools and focus on mental health issues — and give lower priority to banning semi-automatic guns, according to the latest Gallup polling
Boehner: Obama will be responsible for 'largest tax increase in American history'
House Speaker John A. Boehner said Wednesday that the House will pass his bill that would raise taxes on millionaires but extend tax cuts for everyone else, and said it's then up to President Obama to either accept that plan or be responsible for a tax increase on everyone.
Boehner gets an earful — on his own website
House Speaker John A. Boehner is being savaged on his own web page, with commenters fiercely denouncing him for proposing a plan that would see income tax rates rise for the wealthy.
EPA chief faces internal audit over secret email address
The Environmental Protection Agency's internal auditor has opened an investigation into whether the agency mishandled open-records requests related to Administrator Lisa P. Jackson's emails.
Obama taps Biden to lead gun-violence curb
President Obama has tapped Vice President Joseph R. Biden to lead an administrationwide effort to curb gun violence in the aftermath of the massacre in Newtown, Conn., on Friday.
NRA breaks silence on Newtown
The National Rifle Association, which had remained largely silent in the wake of the shooting deaths of 20 children and six adults last week at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., said Tuesday in a statement the group has provided time for mourning "as a matter of common decency" and that it "is prepared to offer meaningful contributions to help make sure this never happens again."
