Rand Paul goes mainstream — or vice versa

(Jacquelyn Martin / AP)

When Kentucky’s junior senator arrived in Washington just over two years ago, he seemed destined to inhabit the role of perpetual outlier. But now, he’s in the mix on just about everything that is happening.

Latest Politics News

Americans don't believe in much of anything -- and why that's a terrible thing for politics

Americans don't believe in much of anything -- and why that's a terrible thing for politics

Congress, the media and even the Supreme Court are viewed skeptically by the public these days.

Video

Biden: Emancipation ‘took a long time’ to get to Texas

Biden: Emancipation ‘took a long time’ to get to Texas

Speaking at the dedication of a statue of abolitionist leader Frederick Douglass, the vice president joked “finally the message got to Texas.”

White House vs. pot lobby

White House vs. pot lobby

The White House softball team has a rematch game against a team fielded by the pro-pot lobby.

Video

Obama invokes JFK memory in Berlin

Obama invokes JFK memory in Berlin

President Obama said there is still work to do to observe President John F. Kennedy’s admonition to care for “all mankind.”

Video

Obama renews call for nuclear reductions

Obama renews call for nuclear reductions

Speaking at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate, President Obama called for a one-third reduction of the world's nuclear stockpiles.

Grassley: IRS about to pay $70 million in bonuses

Grassley: IRS about to pay $70 million in bonuses

Chuck Grassley’s office says IRS is executing an agreement with the employees' union to pay the bonuses.

Chris Christie, Marco Rubio and why the intersection of sports and politics matters

Chris Christie, Marco Rubio and why the intersection of sports and politics matters

Christie is a Dallas Cowboys fan, while Rubio is the guy with the off-the-mark NBA Finals prediction. Why it all matters in politics.

Jimmy Fallon on the Senate immigration bill (VIDEO)

Why is the Senate's immigration bill so long?

How Germany feels about Obama -- in 2 magazine covers

How Germany feels about Obama -- in 2 magazine covers

Two magazine covers tell the story.

Eric Holder: Echoes of other Washington officials?

Eric Holder: Echoes of other Washington officials?

No politican or government official likes to step down if doing so might give critics comfort.

Poll: Public wants congressional hearings on NSA surveillance

Poll: Public wants congressional hearings on NSA surveillance

Edward Snowden splits the public, even as most support the surveillance program he revealed.

Senate hearing will examine security clearance

Senate hearing will examine security clearance

More than 3.5M federal employees, 1M contractors hold security clearances, according to a report.

Was the White House ‘aware’ of IRS behavior?

Was the White House ‘aware’ of IRS behavior?

Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) says White House officials were aware of the IRS program. What do we know?

Full transcript of interview with IRS manager released

Full transcript of interview with IRS manager released

Rep. Elijah Cummings says the interview “debunks conspiracy theories” about the IRS controversy.

How an e-mail address disrupted plots in Britain and U.S.

How an e-mail address disrupted plots in Britain and U.S.

NSA’s ability to monitor a Yahoo account helped stop attack on NYC subways, officials said.

House votes to ban abortion after 20 weeks

House votes to ban abortion after 20 weeks

While the measure is unlikely to become law, it could reverberate politically ahead of special elections.

Column

Judges, judges, judges

Judges, judges, judges

With Obama’s judicial nominees no longer languishing in the Senate, can the GOP still be called obstructionist?

Poll: Americans view GOP in less favorable light than Democratic Party

Poll: Americans view GOP in less favorable light than Democratic Party

Just 39 percent of Americans say they hold a favorable view of the GOP, while 46 percent say they hold a favorable view of the Democratic Party.

House may control immigration bill’s fate

House may control immigration bill’s fate

House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) said Tuesday that he will not advance any bill that did not have the support of a majority of the House GOP, which will mean engaging some of the proposals’s biggest detractors and harshest critics.

The awkwardness of Barack and Vladimir -- in 8 photos

The awkwardness of Barack and Vladimir -- in 8 photos

Vladimir. Barack. And a whole lot of bad body language.

CBO: Senate immigration bill would cut deficits

CBO: Senate immigration bill would cut deficits

The nonpartisan agency says it would reduce federal deficits by nearly $200 billion over 10 years.

Video

Obama’s 2008 speech in Berlin

Obama’s 2008 speech in Berlin

President Obama spoke to a massive crowd in Berlin, Germany during his 2008 campaign for the presidency.

Column

Defense of Marriage Act decision could expand rights for gay feds

Defense of Marriage Act decision could expand rights for gay feds

But if law is overturned, some in same-sex marriages might not get full spousal benefits immediately.

Push is on to promote health law

Push is on to promote health law

A coalition with ties to the White House launched a multimillion-dollar effort to sign up the uninsured.

‘Terrorist events’ disrupted by surveillance program

‘Terrorist events’ disrupted by surveillance program

Intelligence officials publicize details of four thwarted plots to show effectiveness of surveillance

JFK eternal flame will light flame at new emigrant memorial in Ireland

JFK eternal flame will light flame at new emigrant memorial in Ireland

Ireland’s premier and Kennedy family members will lead a ceremony in New Ross, JFK’s ancestral home town.

Officials: Surveillance programs foiled more than 50 terrorist plots

Officials: Surveillance programs foiled more than 50 terrorist plots

The NSA’s head and others defended the effectiveness and oversight of leaked surveillance programs.

Lew’s official signature a vast improvement

Lew’s official signature a vast improvement

Looks like Treasury Secretary Jack Lew has been working on his penmanship.

GSA nominee testifies before Senate panel

GSA nominee testifies before Senate panel

President Obama's choice to lead the agency testified Tuesday before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Rep. Cummings releases a full IRS interview

Rep. Cummings releases a full IRS interview

The Democratic congressman said the interview "debunks conspiracy theories" about the IRS targeting controversy.