Seth McLaughlin

Congress will move toward sanctions against Russia: Sen. Murphy

Sen. Chris Murphy said Monday that he is confident that Congress will be able to strike a bipartisan deal to impose economic sanctions against Russia after it tightened its grip on the Crimean Peninsula. Published March 3, 2014

Struggling tea party movement throws 5-year birthday party, counts achievements

Tea party leaders said Thursday that five years after the movement began, it remains relevant to American politics, even at a time when its legislative accomplishments are slipping and its candidates are struggling to gain traction in Republican primaries. Published February 27, 2014

Sen. Lindsey Graham up big in South Carolina: poll

Sen. Lindsey Graham is running laps around GOP competitors in the South Carolina primary race, but does not have enough support to avoid a two-person runoff race, according to a new survey. Published February 26, 2014

Sen. Mitch McConnell to fend off conservative challenger, analysts say

With three months to go before the Kentucky GOP primary, Louisville businessman Matt Bevin and his allies have launched a series of attack ads against Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, casting the five-term incumbent as an unreliable conservative and as an Obama lackey. Published February 25, 2014

GOP governors face mixed bag of electoral prospects

The shine has worn off many of the GOP governors from the class of 2010, with the first-year fights over public pensions in the rear view and many of the party's brightest stars now facing tricky re-election campaigns. Published February 20, 2014

Sen. Rand Paul: Restore vote rights to some Kentucky ex-cons

Sen. Rand Paul urged members of the Kentucky Legislature on Wednesday to restore the voting rights of some nonviolent felons and said it is time for the nation to rethink the "war on drugs" — putting him in the middle of a couple of thorny debates that put him at odds with many traditional conservatives. Published February 19, 2014

Some of Republicans’ 2010 ‘Pledge’ promises proving elusive

As they head into their third election since their 2010 Pledge to America, House Republicans have checked off some of the easier items they promised voters, but most of the heavy lifting remains a work in progress — and on some, including imposing spending cuts, they've recently begun to backtrack. Published February 18, 2014

Cantor steps to GOP forefront with high-profile speeches

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor called Monday for the U.S. to remain engaged on the international front, as he continues to develop his foreign-policy credentials in anticipation of a potential ascendance among House Republicans. Published February 17, 2014

Republican leaders lack spine, tea party groups say

Tea party leaders said Thursday they aren't to blame for the debt limit increase that Republican leaders helped approve this week, saying the GOP's problem isn't divisions in the ranks but lack of spine at the top. Published February 13, 2014

Rand Paul launches suit against NSA snooping programs

Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul filed a class-action lawsuit Wednesday to halt the NSA's phone-records collection program, and invited millions of Americans to sign up as co-plaintiffs to block overbearing government searches. Published February 12, 2014

Conservative support divided in crowded Georgia U.S. Senate primary

Conservative groups are starting to pick sides in Georgia's crowded Republican U.S. Senate primary, underscoring how split the party is — something Democrats hope their candidate, Michelle Nunn, can exploit to score an upset victory in November. Published February 11, 2014

Conservative group calls for House Speaker John Boehner’s head

The Senate Conservatives Fund says that it is time for House Speaker John Boehner to go and they will keep track of the GOP lawmakers that support their effort to oust him from his leadership post. Published February 11, 2014

Democrats enjoy cash advantage over Republican challengers

Democratic senators facing tough re-election campaigns this year have a significant cash advantage over their potential challengers, according to the latest finance reports — though in some of those races, the GOP candidates are at least making up ground. Published February 10, 2014