Stephen Dinan

Off-color remark caught by House mic

Yet another member of Congress has been tripped up by an open microphone, suggesting on the House floor where a colleague who disagreed with him should "stick" his viewpoint. Published October 9, 2009

House ethics probe of Rangel expands

The House ethics committee on Thursday said it will look into why the nation's chief tax-law writer failed to report millions of dollars of income and business transactions on his financial disclosure forms, deepening the potential trouble for Rep. Charles B. Rangel. Published October 9, 2009

Hate crime laws may extend to gays

Congress is poised to expand federal hate crimes laws to include sexual orientation, attaching it to a defense bill that could still run into trouble because it tests President Obama's will to cut spending. Published October 9, 2009

Obama consults with GOP on Afghan war

After months of the silent treatment, President Obama on Tuesday reached out to congressional Republican leaders, hosting them and Democratic leaders at the White House to talk about a new strategy for Afghanistan. Published October 7, 2009

Jobless benefits expire as health debate rages

Day after day, Ann McGilly has been calling the Senate and begging to know why her unemployment benefits have expired. The answer she keeps getting: Sorry, but they're busy right now fixing health care. Published October 5, 2009

GOP bid to have generals testify nixed

The Senate on Thursday gave President Obama breathing room to plot a new Afghanistan strategy free from interference, rejecting efforts to pit him against his military commanders' advice. Published October 2, 2009

EXCLUSIVE: Cantor: Obama’s not met with GOP leaders since May

President Obama has cut off communication with Republican leaders, going more than four months without hosting the bipartisan congressional leadership at the White House to discuss his health care proposal, the No. 2 Republican in the House said Wednesday. Published October 1, 2009

Defunding ACORN faces surprise hurdles

Congress is rushing to defund the controversial group ACORN, but its efforts might have unintended consequences. Published September 30, 2009

Puerto Rico’s governor: Put us in health bill

Puerto Rican Gov. Luis G. Fortuno is intent on making clear he's a different kind of leader — the sort who pays for even his official expenses with his own credit card. Published September 29, 2009

Liberals seek health-care access for illegals

Fearful that they're losing ground on immigration and health care, a group of House Democrats is pushing back and arguing that any health care bill should extend to all legal immigrants and allow illegal immigrants some access. Published September 28, 2009

Senate rejects wildfire funds for D.C. parks

The Senate this week told the Obama administration to stop spending stimulus bill wildland firefighting money on urban parks in the nation's capital. Published September 24, 2009

GOP lawmakers seek generals to lobby for Afghan war

Capitol Hill Republicans eager to boost the Pentagon's push for a troop surge in Afghanistan are lobbying to give military commanders a chance to make their pitch directly to Congress - using tactics that backfired on Democrats in their bid to end the Iraq war. Published September 22, 2009

Stimulus spending sags after deadline rush

After a two-week binge to meet President Obama's 200-day goal, stimulus spending has plummeted once again - and the roller-coaster pace of spending has critics worried about how the money is being spent. Published September 21, 2009

Obama: Legalize illegals to get them health care

President Obama said this week that his health care plan won't cover illegal immigrants, but argued that's all the more reason to legalize them and ensure they eventually do get coverage. Published September 18, 2009

Millions go to signs flagging stimulus projects

Senate Democrats on Wednesday voted to continue spending stimulus money on road signs that advertise that they're spending stimulus money. Published September 17, 2009

Republicans seek czar accountability

With White House "czars" under scrutiny, two senior House Republicans are demanding that the White House account for the dozens of advisers whom the press has designated as czars and either make them available to testify to Congress or explain why they should be exempt. Published September 16, 2009

Specter fundraiser stalls Senate voting

Senate Democrats halted voting Tuesday afternoon to help their newest convert, Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, attend fundraisers back home with President Obama, as party bigwigs made clear who they back in what's expected to be a brutal Democratic primary. Published September 16, 2009