Posts by Doug Mataconis
About Doug Mataconis
Doug Mataconis held a B.A. in Political Science from Rutgers University and J.D. from George Mason University School of Law. He joined the staff of OTB in May 2010 and contributed a staggering 16,483 posts before his retirement in January 2020. He passed far too young in July 2021.Want To Understand The GOP Hardliners? Talk To Their Constituents
To borrow a phrase from Stephen Colbert, if you want to understand how Congress works, you better know a District.
Ted Cruz Doubles Down On His Failed Obamacare Strategy
Ted Cruz wants his fellow Republicans to follow him down the rabbit hole again.
Boehner: Not Enough Votes For “Clean” CR, Or “Clean” Debt Ceiling Increase
Speaker Boehner sends a signal that there won’t be a quick resolution to the government shutdown crisis.
Republicans Ready Their Next Offer On Shutdown, Debt Ceiling
The outlines of a possible new GOP proposal are emerging. Can it go anywhere?
Veterans Removed From Vietnam Veterans Memorial
One of the dumber aspects of the current shutdown repeats itself.
Defense Department To Recall Most Furloughed Civilians Back To Work
The Pentagon is recalling up to 300,000 furloughed civilian employees on the same day that Congress voted to pay all furloughed employees when the government reopens.
Shutdown Hitting Private Sector As Defense Contractors Furlough Workers
The government shutdown is starting to have effects in the “real world.”
Ken Cuccinelli Distancing Himself From National GOP On Shutdown
The Republican candidate for Governor of Virginia wants a quick end to the Government Shutdown.
House Democrats To Attempt Discharge Petition On “Clean” CR
Democrats in the House will attempt to use an obscure House procedure to force an end to the government shutdown. It’s success is by no means guaranteed.
The “Hastert Rule” Doesn’t Exist
The “Hastert Rule” isn’t the reason Speaker Boehner isn’t bringing a “clean” CR up for a vote, political survival is.
Boehner Won’t Allow Default Over Debt Ceiling, Still Insisting On Negotiations
Speaker Boehner told his caucus members that he will not allow a default over the debt ceiling but don’t look for a change in strategy.
GOP Getting Most Of The Blame For Government Shutdown
The first poll taken after the shutdown began has little good news for the Republican Party.
Petty And Childish: Congressman Demands “Respect,” But Doesn’t Know What He Wants
A comment from one Congressman sums up the attitude of the small group of Congressman and Senators who have placed us in this situation.
Obama Warns Wall Street On Debt Ceiling
President Obama had some potentially market-moving news for Wall Street.
On Debt Ceiling, GOP Lawmakers Get Different Message From Base Than From General Public
If you want to understand why Republicans in Congress are acting like they are, just look at the polls.
Shutdown Likely To Drag On For Extended Period
There’s no sign that the government shutdown will end any time soon.
Yes Congress Is Still Getting Paid, You Can Thank The Constitution
Congress is still getting paid during the shutdown, and there’s nothing that can be done about that.
Chris Christie Hits Congress, President Over Shutdown
Chris Christie had some words about the crisis in D.C., and they almost sound like they could be part of a 2016 campaign message
A Day Of Glitches For Day One Of Obamacare’s Exchange Websites
Day One of the Obamacare online “marketplaces” is proving to be a bit of a bumpy ride.
Is There Really A “Congressional Exemption” From Obamacare?
The news PPACA controversy appears to be based on a complete misunderstanding of one provision of the law.
More Evidence Of The Political Risk To The GOP In A Shutdown
With just hours to go, the Republicans on Capitol Hill seem prepared to take a big political risk.
Poll: GOP Bears Biggest Political Risk In Shutdown
The GOP seems perfectly fine with risking a shutdown, even though polling shows they’d pay the biggest price for it.
Will The GOP Back Away From Using The Budget To Attack The PPACA?
Republicans don’t seem willing to let go of the Obamacare issue just yet. But, how long will that actually last?