Threats
Will the Syrian Torture Photos Compel Congress to Act?
Just before the August recess, House lawmakers recoiled in horror at a Syrian defector's photos of more than 10,000 victims of Assad's bloody civil war. By Jordain Carney
Policy
Sen. Mark Udall Calls for Resignation of CIA Director John Brennan
This comes after news that the spy agency had hacked into Senate computers. By Dustin Volz
Policy
CIA Admits to Hacking Senate Computers
In a sharp and sudden reversal, the CIA acknowledged it improperly tapped into the computers of Senate staffers reviewing Bush-era torture practices. By Dustin Volz
Policy
House VA Bill for Firing Executives Advances to Senate
Co-sponsor of Monday's breakthrough VA reform package, Sen. Bernie Sanders, fully expects the measure to pass the Senate Thursday. By Eric Katz
Policy
Meet the Man Now Responsible for Solving the VA Crisis
Incoming VA secretary Robert McDonald received unanimous support during his Senate confirmation vote Tuesday. Now the real work begins. By Jordain Carney
Business
New VA Reform Bill Is a Stopgap, Not a Solution
The Miller-Sanders legislation announced Monday should make great changes to a broken system. But don't mistake it for a comprehensive reform bill. By Jesse Sloman
Policy
Congress Clears the Way for VA to Fire Senior Executives
A new bi-partisan bill to kickstart reforms at the Department of Veterans Affairs could find its way to the president's desk by the end of the week. By Eric Katz
Policy
Senate Thinks It May Have the NSA Reform Bill Everyone Can Agree On
Uniting the White House, tech companies, and privacy groups has proven nearly impossible so far. Will the Senate's latest attempt this week be any different? By Dustin Volz
Policy
Senate Panel's 1 Percent Troop, Civilian Pay Raise Now Faces House Hurdles
A more modest pay raise for troops and defense civilians looks safe in the Democratic-controlled Senate. But how will it fare in the Republican-controlled House? By Kellie Lunney
Policy
House, Senate Committee Reaches Compromise to Reform the VA
Just days before the August recess, a conference committee reached a deal to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs with a breakthrough $17 billion bill. By Molly O’Toole
Policy
Republicans Want to Mandate a Vote on the Iran Nuclear Deal
A group of senators said late Wednesday that sanctions would be automatically reimposed if the White House does not consult Congress. By Clara Ritger
Policy
How Long Will Congress Take to Solve the VA's Problems?
Lawmakers have serious reservations about the VA's $17.6 billion request to fix the overburdened system. By Jordain Carney
Threats
ISIL Is Now a ‘Full Blown Army’ in Iraq
House lawmakers grilled State and Pentagon officials to find out why the Obama administration has failed to stop ISIL from carving up Iraq and Syria. By Ben Watson
Policy
A New VA Secretary Is Just One Step on a Long Road to Reform
Congress has little time before the August recess to pass a sweeping VA reform bill that will determine whether Robert McDonald succeeds where his predecessors have failed. By Molly O’Toole
Threats
Feinstein Says the U.S. Is at ‘Cold War Levels’ With Russia
U.S. lawmakers' sense of futility at a peaceful resolution in Ukraine is being eclipsed by historic levels of distrust toward Russian President Vladimir Putin. By Dustin Volz
Policy
McCain Calls for the 'Most Severe Sanctions' on Russia
Sen. John McCain said it's time the U.S. armed the Ukrainian military while also calling for a rapid escalation of sanctions against Russia. By Rachel Roubein
Policy
GOP Proposes More National Guard Troops for the Border Crisis
House GOP lawmakers claim their border plan is a 'major change' that will cost 'less than half' of the president's nearly $4 billion border response package. By Billy House and Rachel Roubein
Policy
Why Rand Paul Loves to Fight Over Foreign Policy
Arguing over military intervention with the GOP is an ideal platform for the libertarian senator's most popular, and disruptive, ideas. By Molly Ball
Policy
Dunford Didn’t Endorse Plan to Pull Troops from Afghanistan by 2017
The president’s plan for withdrawing from Afghanistan can’t escape comparisons to Iraq – even from his top commander. By Molly O’Toole
Policy