Outside the Beltway

The deal that led to the end of the Federal Government shutdown isn’t sitting well with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.

With just hours to go, it seems increasingly unlikely that the Senate can reach a deal to keep the government open.

With less than two days to go, the prospects for Congress finding a way to prevent a government shutdown aren’t looking good.

A group of 21 states has filed a petition to review the F.C.C.’s recent net neutrality rule changes, but it faces an uncertain future.

With only days to go, Congress seems unable to come up with either a funding deal for the Federal Government or a solution to the DACA issue.

The numbers aren’t looking good for Republican prospects in this year’s midterm elections.

The Supreme Court heard argument yesterday in an important case dealing with the circumstances under which voters can be purged from the voting rolls.

A Federal Judge has put a hold on the impending end of the DACA program.

Contrary to expectations, jobs growth in December was relatively modest.

The Trump Administration is reversing policy on an Obama Era policy that allowed states to choose their own course on marijuana laws.

Republicans passed their tax bill yesterday. What that means for the economy and the 2018 midterms is another question.

Federal Appeals Court Judge Alex Kozinski is resigning immediately after a barrage of sexual harassment allegations.

Meet Matthew Peterson, a nominee for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia who apparently doesn’t know much about trials.

The final version of the tax bill appears to be on track for passage, but the devil is in the details.

House and Senate Republicans say they have reached agreement on a final tax bill, and Democrats are engaging in an effort to delay a vote in the Senate until Doug Jones can be seated.

Another one bites the dust.

Donald Trump Jr. is claiming that some conversations between him and his father are covered by the attorney-client privilege. Based on what we know about those conversations, there’s a good possibility that he’s right.

A seventh woman has come forward to accuse Senator Al Franken of having groped her as calls mount from his Democratic colleagues for him to resign.

The Supreme Court held oral argument in a case that pits First Amendment rights against the rights of LGBT Americans.

The longest-serving member of the House has retired amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

The current temporary spending measure reached by Congress in September expires on Friday, and Republicans haven’t come up with a solution yet.

Jim Nabors, who became famous as Gomer Pyle on The Andy Griffith Show and Gomer Pyle USMC, has died at the age of  87.

For a guy who considers the Russia investigation “Fake News,” President Trump sure is doing a lot to try to stop it.

A not guilty verdict in a case that Donald Trump turned into a political issue.

Senator Al Franken faces new charges of sexually inappropriate conduct on the same day that House Democrats are beginning to pressure one of their members to resign.

The Supreme Court heard oral argument yesterday in what could end up being a landmark case on the issue of the scope of Fourth Amendment rights in the 21st Century.

The latest domino to fall in the ongoing wave of sexual harassment and abuse revelations is Matt Lauer.

The Supreme Court has declined to hear yet another Second Amendment case.

More troubles for Minnesota Senator Al Franken.

A Federal Judge in California has entered an order permanently blocking a Trump Administration effort to deny funding to so-called sanctuary cities.

Drip, Drip, Drip?

Charles Manson, who led a cult-like “family” to a series of murders in 1969 and subsequently spent more than 40 years in prison, has died at the age of 83.

Is it time to reexamine Presidential authority to launch a nuclear strike?

New York Senator Kristen Gillibrand says Bill Clinton should have resigned over his affair with Monica Lewinsky. Raising the question of just how stringently we should apply the standards of today to the events of the past.

House Republicans passed their tax reform bill. That was the easy part.

A Los Angeles reporter says that Minnesota Senator Al Franken groped her and engaged in other inappropriate conduct during a 2006 USO tour.

As a candidate, Donald Trump liked to claim that he only hired the “top people.” and said he would do the same thing as President. So far, it isn’t working out that way.

Will Joe Biden be ‘tan, rested, and ready’ enough to take on 2020?

Notwithstanding overwhelming public support, Congress is not moving forward on a proposal to ban bump stocks.

The shooter in the Texas church shooting was apparently able to get his weapons because the Air Force failed to report his domestic violence conviction.

In his time as President, Donald Trump has demonstrated as much contempt for the rule of law as he did as a candidate.

Federal Courts continue to rule against the Administration, and the President continues to lash out at Judges and demonstrate his contempt for the Rule Of Law.

President Trump remains the most unpopular newly elected President since the end of the Second World War, and there’s no sign that will change.

A new poll shows that a record majority of Americans, including a majority of Republicans, support legalization of marijuana.

Vice-President Pence left an Indianapolis Colts game early in what was obviously a cynical pre-planned publicity stunt.

A complicated concurrence to Steven Taylor’s recent postings.

The District of Columbia has decided not to risk an appeal of a lower court ruling striking down its restrictive concealed-carry law.

The Las Vegas shooting provides a good opportunity to enact a common sense gun control law that even Second Amendment advocates agree is called for.