Politics

LAOS.jpg

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, left, and Laotian Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong meet at the Prime Minister's Office in Vientiane, Laos, Wednesday, July 11, 2012. (AP Photo/Brendon Smialowski, Pool)

20120710-212755-pic-11484413.jpg

"The consequences of governors' decisions will impact our states — and the nation — for decades to come, so we must have all the information needed to choose wisely," Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, a Republican, wrote in a letter to President Obama. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

20120710-212350-pic-994466550.jpg

D.C. Council member Tommy Wells (left) talks with acting Chairman Phil Mendelson. (Barbara L. Salisbury/The Washington Times)

20120710-212046-pic-469026829.jpg

Reporters waited outside the office of Mayor Vincent C. Gray after he failed to show up at a presentation of a resolution at the D.C. Council chamber on Tuesday, just hours before Jeanne Harris was to plead guilty to conspiracy and fraud in a plan to funnel campaign money through straw donors. (Barbara L. Salisbury/The Washington Times)

20120710-212046-pic-138819162.jpg

In a guilty plea Tuesday, Jeanne Harris, 75, admitted she funneled the undocumented campaign funds through one of her companies and culled "straw donors" who contributed to the Gray campaign in their names but were reimbursed for their donations. (Raymond Thompson/The Washington Times)

20120710-204340-pic-194568262.jpg

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid discusses the fight over extending tax cuts after a political strategy session on Capitol Hill on Tuesday. (Associated Press)

20120710-203428-pic-450297493.jpg

Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, Connecticut Democrat, delivers an emotional speech Tuesday on Capitol Hill about passing the farm bill, which also funds food stamps. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

20120710-202821-pic-357306084.jpg

Bob Kerrey, a Democratic candidate for a Senate seat in Nebraska, tours the Benson neighborhood in Omaha with his wife, former Saturday Night Live writer Sarah Paley, and Henry, his son. Mr. Kerrey has described Ms. Paley as a "comedian." (Associated Press)