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

Harry Reid on D.C. statehood is nothing new

The majority leader has supported granting full congressional representation to the nation's capital for almost two decades.

Which immigration amendments will pass next?

Which immigration amendments will pass next?

Another 10 proposals up for consideration Wednesday. Which ones have a chance at passage?

Video

What Germans think of Obama’s visit

What Germans think of Obama’s visit

Pedestrians in Cologne, Germany, discussed their sentiments towards the American president, his visit and his surveillance programs.

The remarkable consistency of President Obama's job approval numbers

The remarkable consistency of President Obama's job approval numbers

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Hill post offices to shutter

Hill post offices to shutter

The USPS closes three locations used by lawmakers and staffers.

Rush Holt is no Cory Booker. And he's just fine with that.

Rush Holt is no Cory Booker. And he's just fine with that.

Holt, in his own words, is no Booker. It's a smart move for the Senate underdog.

Moniz taps veteran environmentalist as chief of staff

Moniz  taps veteran environmentalist as chief of staff

Kevin Knobloch, president of the Union of Concerned Scientists, to be Moniz gatekeeper.

Congress approves plan to avoid CBP furloughs

Congress approves plan to avoid CBP furloughs

The reprogramming plan also allows CBP to continue paying unexpected overtime cost for Border Patrol agents.

Who will be the next Republican senator to embrace gay marriage?

Who will be the next Republican senator to embrace gay marriage?

Murkowski became the third Senate Republican to support gay marriage. Who will be next?

Video

Reid pushes for D.C. statehood

Reid pushes for D.C. statehood

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Wednesday that “D.C. residents deserve the same right to self government and Congressional representation” as other Americans.

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.