Policy
Congress Has Less Than 10 Days To Make All of These National Security Decisions
From Iraq to the budget, Congress has a long way to go and a short time to get there. By Molly O’Toole
Policy
Boehner Snubs Report, Pushes Forward on Benghazi
After the release of a recent GOP-led report vindicating the Obama administration, the House speaker wants to reappoint his own select inquiry into the 2012 terrorist attacks. By Russell Berman
Policy
Last-Minute Pitches for NSA Reform Fail To Gain Consensus
After a recent Senate defeat, the tech industry, privacy groups and reform-minded lawmakers are clamoring to salvage portions of the USA Patriot Act. By Brendan Sasso and Dustin Volz
Policy
What Rand Paul Gets By Declaring War Against ISIS
By declaring war against the Islamic State, he's also picking a legal battle with the White House. By Emma Roller
Policy
Only One Redacted Item Is Holding Up the CIA's Torture Report
Senators still think they can wrap up negotiations with the White House over redactions in a Senate report before the year ends. By Dustin Volz and Lauren Fox
Policy
The Battle Over Hagel’s Replacement For Defense Secretary Has Already Begun in Congress
Republican leaders cast Hagel’s fall as Obama’s fault, warning the White House to send a nominee they can confirm. By Molly O’Toole
Policy
Military Suicides Decline, But Continued Failures Hold Lessons for Future Wars
To win the wars of tomorrow, we must understand the ways we are continuing to fail our troops today.
Policy
Democrat to NSA: Forget Congress, Stop Mass Spying Now
Senate Republicans blocked a bill to restrict domestic surveillance. But Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff says the administration should act anyway. By Brendan Sasso
Policy
Did Rand Paul’s NSA Vote Fight Government Spying or Protect It?
The libertarian says his opposition to a Senate bill protected Americans’ privacy. Privacy advocates disagree. By Dustin Volz
Policy
Walz Drops His Bid for Top Democratic Spot on House VA Committee
The former Army National Guard soldier faced pushback over seniority and a waiver that's allowed him to stay on the committee. By Billy House
Policy
White House Backs NSA Reform Bill
With a Senate vote on the measure looming, the White House strongly supports a bill to curb the government's most controversial domestic spying program. By Dustin Volz
Threats
The State Department's Reluctance To Disclose Hacking Unsettles Lawmakers
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle demand to know why the State Department waited at least a month before disclosing its unclassified email system had been hacked. By Aliya Sternstein
Policy
Pentagon and Hill Officials Say They’re Still in the Dark On Obama's New War Powers
When and how will a new authorization for the use of military force against ISIS get drafted? By Molly O’Toole
Policy
Senate Moves Closer to a Vote on NSA Reform
In a surprise move, Senate majority leader Harry Reid is looking to advance a bulk data-collection bill before his party returns to the minority. By Dustin Volz
Policy
New Bill Targets the Pensions of Misbehaving VA Employees
Rep. Jeff Miller wants to prevent senior executives at the Department of Veterans Affairs who are about to be fired from retiring with full benefits. By Kellie Lunney
Policy
Back From Midterms, Congress To Take Up NDAA, VA Reform, Ebola and ISIS
Both current and newly elected lawmakers return to Capitol Hill to talk ISIS strategy and take the temperature of the VA's efforts to clean up its act. By Billy House and Rachel Roubein
Ideas
What Congress Can Do To Restore the Balance of Power With China
Congress needs to focus on China and stop relying on the Pentagon and think tanks. By Rep. J. Randy Forbes
Policy
In Foreign Policy Debates Ahead, Look to Echoes of 2006
The 2006 midterm elections were a disaster for Bush, but also a chance to shake things up. Will 2014 follow the same script? By Janine Davidson and Emerson Brooking
Policy
Now the GOP Must Choose: Mass Surveillance or Privacy?
Before May, the new Congress must choose between endorsing or ending NSA spying on the phone calls of virtually every American. By Conor Friedersdorf
Ideas