Democrats running Congress for the first time in more than a decade faltered at key points this year as they grudgingly passed important bills opposed by many, or most, of their House members. When Republicans were in charge, they generally avoided a similar fate. ...more

December 22, 2007

Attorney General Michael Mukasey refused Friday to give Congress details of the government's investigation into interrogations of terrorism suspects that were videotaped and destroyed by the CIA. He said doing so could raise questions about whether the inquiry is vulnerable to political pressure. ...more

December 15, 2007

New Jersey will become the first state in four decades to abolish the death penalty under a measure lawmakers approved Thursday and the governor intends to sign within days. ...more

December 14, 2007

Senate Republicans formally and unanimously elected Sen. Jeff Atwater as the chamber's president-designate if the GOP maintains its majority after the 2008 election. Republicans now have a 26-14 advantage. ...more

December 12, 2007

Congress has dropped legislation that would have expanded laws against hate crimes to include attacks on gay people after it became clear the measure would not pass the House, aides said Thursday. ...more

December 7, 2007

The Senate voted Thursday to block a looming tax increase averaging $2,000 for millions of taxpayers after Senate Republicans succeeded in thwarting a Democratic plan to also raise taxes on investors. ...more

December 7, 2007

The Democrats' flagship proposal on Iraq is aimed at bringing most troops home. Yet, if enacted, the law would still allow for tens of thousands of U.S. troops to stay deployed for years to come. ...more

November 23, 2007

A defiant Democratic-controlled Congress voted Thursday to provide health insurance to an additional 4 million lower-income children, and President Bush vowed swiftly to cast his second-straight veto on the issue. ...more

November 2, 2007

State lawmakers return to Tallahassee today to continue the special session on property tax reform. Last week, instead of nearing a consensus, the House and Senate grew even further apart, with House members overhauling their plan on Friday. ...more

October 22, 2007

Senate Republicans are bracing for another potentially costly 2008 retirement, with veteran Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., expected to announce today that he will not seek a seventh term. ...more

October 4, 2007