Seth McLaughlin
Articles by Seth McLaughlin
Ted Cruz reveals his comic side in speeches; impressions get rotten tomatoes
When Sen. Ted Cruz was in the middle of his 21-hour filibuster, he had already read "Green Eggs and Ham" to his children via C-SPAN, found himself killing time and needed a way to praise his fellow filibusterist, Sen. Mike Lee. So he tapped into his actor's training and summoned up his best Darth Vader impression. Published March 27, 2014
Internal investigation clears Chris Christie of wrongdoing in Bridgegate scandal
The lawyers tapped by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to investigate the George Washington Bridge scandal released their findings Thursday, saying there is no evidence that the Republican governor knew about or had a hand in the lane closures that snarled local traffic for days. Published March 27, 2014
Harry Reid spent more campaign funds on granddaughter’s gifts: report
New questions are being raised about just how much money Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's campaign gave to his granddaughter for "holiday gifts." Published March 27, 2014
Rep. Lee Terry: Billionaire Tom Steyer poised to profit from blocking Keystone XL pipeline
Rep. Lee Terry suggested Thursday that billionaire activist Tom Steyer's opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline is fueled by concern for his bottom line, not for the environment. Published March 27, 2014
Rep. Adam Smith shoots down Sept. 11th conspiracy theory about WTC 7
The ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee brushed aside the notion Thursday that the World Trade Center 7 building was brought down by "controlled demolition" in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Published March 27, 2014
‘Dwarf planet’ named after Joe Biden
A small planet has been named after Vice President Joseph R. Biden. Published March 27, 2014
Sen. Charles Schumer: David Koch’s ad campaigns are ‘un-American’
Sen. Charles Schumer said Thursday that some of the ads bankrolled by conservative mega-donor David Koch are "un-American." Published March 27, 2014
Democrats should vow to fix Obamacare in 2014 campaigns, pollster says
A Democratic pollster says members of her party running in the midterm election should campaign on the promise to fix Obamacare, not scrapping the law altogether. Published March 27, 2014
Palin backs ‘Midwest Mama Grizzly’ Joni Ernst in Iowa GOP Senate primary
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin endorsed state Sen. Joni Ernst campaign for the U.S. Senate in the Iowa GOP primary, saying she will champion a small government agenda in Washington, D.C. Published March 26, 2014
Former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour: Sen. Thad Cochran’s rivals are ‘phonies’
Former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour defended Sen. Thad Cochran Wednesday, warning in an op-ed for a local newspaper that the veteran GOP lawmaker is under attack from hypocrites and "out-of-state phonies" who are distorting his record ahead of the Republican primary this summer. Published March 26, 2014
Rep. Bruce Braley on damage control after anti-Grassley comments
Rep. Bruce Braley, a Democratic candidate of the U.S. Senate, woke up Wednesday to some tough headlines in local newspapers after a video was unearthed in which he warned that if the GOP takes control of the Senate, then Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley, "a farmer" who "never who "never went to law school," would takeover the Senate Judiciary Committee. Published March 26, 2014
Treasury Department official warns of harder Russian sanctions
A top Treasury Department official said Wednesday that the Obama administration is poised to harden economic sanctions against Russia if the government of President Vladimir Putin continues its aggression in Eastern Europe. Published March 26, 2014
Conservative group hits Sen. Franken on proposed IRS rule changes
A conservative group is bankrolling a new television ad in Minnesota that accuses Sen. Al Franken of supporting IRS rule changes that would curtail free speech. Published March 26, 2014
Iowa Rep. Bruce Braley: Charles Grassley ‘a farmer’ who ‘never went to law school’
A Democratic candidate for Senate in Iowa was caught on video warning that if Republicans take over the upper chamber, Sen. Charles Grassley — "a farmer from Iowa" — will become chairman of a powerful Senate committee. Published March 25, 2014
Boehner: Senate unemployment insurance bill not workable
House Speaker John A. Boehner said Tuesday that he does not think that the Senate Democrats push to restore unemployment benefits for the long-term unemployed is workable. Published March 25, 2014
Most Americans say U.S. should stay out of conflict between Russia and Ukraine: poll
A new poll shows that most Americans don't think the U.S. has an obligation to intervene in Russia's recent annexation of Crimea. Published March 25, 2014
Sen. Marco Rubio: GOP should focus on economic issues in 2014 midterms
Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida said Tuesday that the GOP will be in a better position to takeover the Senate in the 2014 election if it sticks with an economic message of small government and low taxes that unites the party — not the emotional social issues that can divide it. Published March 25, 2014
GOP strategist: Bob Barker had hand in David Jolly’s Florida win
A media strategist for David Jolly's successful campaign in Florida's recent special congressional election said that part of the reason the Republican emerged victories was that he had a secret weapon: former "Price is Right" game show host Bob Barker. Published March 25, 2014
Tea Party Patriots back Matt Bevin in race against Mitch McConnell
The Tea Party Patriots' super PAC endorsed Matt Bevin Friday in his race against Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in the Kentucky GOP primary. Published March 21, 2014
U Street watering hole celebrates Phelps death
The death of the Westboro Baptist Church founder Fred Phelps Sr. has spurred a new sales pitch at a local watering hole on historic U Street in the nation's capital. Published March 20, 2014
