GOP relents on payroll tax, averting fight

(Alex Wong / Getty Images)

House Republican leaders say they will support extending the federal payroll tax holiday through the end of the year without demanding spending cuts to pay for it, a concession aimed at averting another politically damaging showdown.

Why Obama’s budget is smart politics

Why Obama’s budget is smart politics

THE FIX | President Obama’s budget proposal looks like a smart document — at least when it comes to his reelection campaign.

GOP: Obama’s budget a ‘gimmick’

GOP: Obama’s budget a ‘gimmick’

Republicans say the budget plan puts off tough decisions about ballooning red ink until after the voters have cast their ballots.

Santorum catching up with Romney

Santorum catching up with Romney

Two new polls show the two contenders in a virtual tie among Republicans nationally.

Congress looks for ways around Supreme Court decisions

Congress looks for ways around Supreme Court decisions

IN SESSION | Some lawmakers simply go over the nine justices’ heads by rewriting the Constitution.

Obama ‘Truth Team’ to fight attacks

Obama ‘Truth Team’ to fight attacks

Trio of Web sites will provide supporters with information on the president’s record — and more than a little dirt on his Republican rivals.

Mitt Romney’s Utah Olympics contributions questioned

Mitt Romney’s Utah Olympics contributions questioned

Questions have arisen about whether he has overstated his contributions for political gain.

Politics Blogs

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White House renews #40dollars Twitter campaign on payroll tax cut

On Tuesday, President Obama will renew his Twitter campaign to pressure Congress to approve a year-long extension of the payroll tax holiday.

2chambers

Capitol Assets: Washington Post chat on earmarks

Post reporters David Fallis, Scott Higham and Kimberly Kindy today held an online chat with readers to answer questions on their investigative project on congressional earmarks.

She the People

Is ‘The Loving Story’ over, even now?

Is ‘The Loving Story’ over, even now?

In a poll of likely Republican primary voters in South Carolina last month, 20 percent still said interracial marriage should be illegal.

In the Loop

Bush claims auto bailout his

Bush claims auto bailout his

President George W. Bush again claims credit for auto industry bailout

Political Columns

The cost of the culture wars

Obama’s contraception deal was right decision.”

Read the Article

 E.J. Dionne Jr.

Our budget quagmire

Social Security’s disability program as metaphor.”

Read the Article

 Robert J. Samuelson

A progressive divide

Nostalgia liberals vs. accountability liberals. ”

Read the Article

 Fred Hiatt

From Our Partners

Republican presidential candidate former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum puts on a cowboy hat after meeting with supporters at a rally Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012, in Plano, Texas. (AP Photo/Sharon Ellman)

The Iran man

Rick Santorum says he’s been studying Iran for a decade. But does he know what he’s talking about?

See more from Foreign Policy

Politics Videos

Video: The winners and losers of Obama's new budget (2:04)

President Barack Obama unveiled a $3.8 trillion spending plan on Monday that seeks to achieve $4 trillion in deficit reduction over the next decade, with higher taxes for the wealthy and more investment in areas like community colleges. (Feb. 13)

Politics Galleries

A portrait of black women

Survey results paint a portrait of black women in America.

Newt Gingrich’s 2012 run

The former House speaker is seeking the Republican presidential nomination.

Presidential candidate Ron Paul

Rep. Ron Paul is seeking the 2012 Republican presidential nomination.

Romney’s second run

After a bloated 2008 run, the GOP presidential hopeful returns with a tightly knit team.

The Maine caucuses

Voters in Maine cast ballots in the Republican presidential primary.

CPAC 2012

Conservative politicians and opinion leaders speak to activists at the annual conference.

Our unpopular Congress

GALLERY | You’d be surprised by some of the things that have been more popular than Congress is right now.

Campaign 2012: Rick Santorum

The former Pennsylvania senator is seeking the Republican presidential nomination.

Republican candidates: February

With four contests behind them, the remaining presidential contenders campaign.

Colo., Minn., Mo. voters choose Santorum

Former senator swept Colorado and Minnesota caucuses and Missouri primary.

Capitol Assets: Family ties

A Washington Post investigation uncovered cases where lawmakers directed money to institutions with connections to their relatives.

Bringing home the earmarks

Here are some members of Congress who have directed federal money to projects close to their personal or commercial property.