Beyond marriage, challenges ahead for gay rights groups
By DAVID CRARY Even as same-sex marriage edges closer to becoming legal nationwide, gay rights advocates face other challenges in 2015 that may not bring quick victories. In Congress, for…
Political organizations
Funding sometimes lags for sex-trafficking victims
By DAVID CRARY As awareness of America’s sex-trafficking industry increases, state after state has enacted new laws to combat it. But while a few have backed those get-tough laws with…
President Barack Obama warns GOP he plans to use veto pen in 2015
Warning from President Barack Obama to congressional Republicans: I have a veto pen and, come January, I won’t be afraid to use it. Since taking office in 2009, Obama has…
Jeb Bush to ‘actively explore’ run for president
By GARY FINEOUT Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush on Tuesday took his most definitive step yet toward running for president, announcing plans to “actively explore” a campaign and form a…
CIA battles Senate Democrats over torture report
By BRADLEY KLAPPER The CIA and several of its past leaders are stepping up a campaign to discredit a five-year Senate investigation into the CIA’s harrowing interrogation practices after 9/11,…
Spending bill teeters amid Democratic discontent
By ANDREW TAYLOR Growing opposition among Democrats and persistent opposition from the tea party Republicans has left a $1.1 trillion government-wide spending bill teetering as many lawmakers find more in…
GOP’s Issa ready for final assault on ‘Obamacare’
By CHARLES BABINGTON One of the Obama administration’s harshest congressional critics will get a final high-profile shot when the House Oversight Committee grills witnesses about the president’s health care overhaul…
Analysis: Can House GOP stay on immigration script
By DAVID ESPO After declaring President Barack Obama’s new policy on deportations “null and void,” House Republicans are ready to fund the federal government before a Thursday deadline without additional…