Stephen Dinan

Vitter takes on census, immigrant rights groups

In his push to have the Census Bureau count the number of U.S. citizens, Sen. David Vitter, Louisiana Republican, is taking a very parochial approach with his colleagues: Your state could be the one to lose an extra seat in Congress. Published October 27, 2009

In immigration war, environment is a neglected casualty

In the battle between Mexican immigrants, smugglers and drug cartels and the U.S. authorities charged with catching them, the innocent bystanders caught in the clash are the plants and animals of the borderlands. Published October 25, 2009

White House: Policy ‘czars’ won’t testify

The White House has told Congress it will reject calls for many of President Obama's policy czars to testify before Congress - a decision senators said goes against the president's promises of transparency and openness and treads on Congress' constitutional mandate to investigate the administration's actions. Published October 23, 2009

Senate OKs Gitmo transfers to U.S.

Congress on Tuesday passed the 2010 homeland security spending bill that gives President Obama the authority to transfer terrorism-suspect detainees to the United States for trial, though only after he submits a plan to Congress. Published October 21, 2009

College football playoff boosted

Boosters of a college football playoff are vocal, but now they want to be too dangerous for politicians to ignore. Published October 20, 2009

Political scientists fight to keep grants

The nation's political scientists are on the warpath, angry at efforts to cut off their federal funding and at taunts that they are getting taxpayer dollars to do what television talking heads do already. Published October 14, 2009

Immigration activists call for reform

Hundreds of immigration activists staged a rally Tuesday on Capitol Hill, pressing for an overhaul of the nation's immigration laws to offer a pathway to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants. Published October 14, 2009

Hispanics mull boycotting 2010 census

Angered by President Obama's lack of success in legalizing illegal immigrants, some Hispanic activists are urging all Hispanics to boycott the 2010 census as a sign of displeasure. Published October 12, 2009

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