THE LATEST ARTICLES
NEWSLETTERS
Rand Paul
Leigh Ann Caldwell March 6, 2025
The libertarian Kentucky senator Rand Paul is one of few Republicans to openly oppose Trump on tariffs and separation of powers. Is anyone listening?
Tim Scott and Donald Trump
Leigh Ann Caldwell March 2, 2025
The president wants to avoid a repeat of his party’s 2018 midterm shellacking. But there’s already friction with N.R.S.C. chair Tim Scott, and plenty of beef with a crew of ’26 incumbents.
Donald Trump
Leigh Ann Caldwell February 27, 2025
The House has cleared a budget hurdle… barely. But the chamber’s Republican lawmakers may yet be thwarted by their own internal dynamics—not to mention the Senate.
bernie sanders
Leigh Ann Caldwell February 23, 2025
A month after the inauguration, rival Democratic factions are coalescing around the potency of an anti-billionaire messaging. On the topic of pretty much everything else, however, they are aligned in agreeing to disagree.


Katie Britt
Leigh Ann Caldwell February 20, 2025
Publicly, Republicans have nothing but kind words for Trump, Musk, and the DOGE agenda. Behind the scenes, however, they’re lobbying fiercely against cuts out of political self-preservation.
Adam Smith
Leigh Ann Caldwell February 16, 2025
Hill Democrats aren’t just depressed about their lack of political power and direction. Privately, they wonder aloud how they’ve been swept up in a McCarthy-esque cultural purge. Rep. Adam Smith offers a slightly more constructive view.
Chip Roy
Leigh Ann Caldwell February 13, 2025
House Republicans have finally started to move on a budget bill that is expected to add trillions to the national debt. Now they must face down the usual right-flank hardliners and even contemplate the dreaded B-word (bipartisanship).
Mitch McConnell
Leigh Ann Caldwell February 9, 2025
Newly unencumbered by leadership responsibilities and party loyalties, Mitch McConnell is free to spoil nominations, torment his former tormentor, and defend against a new wave of isolationism. Could the most mischievous member of the Senate be the 82-year-old former leader who’s battling infirmity and, possibly, his own party?


marco rubio trump
Leigh Ann Caldwell February 6, 2025
A longstanding tool of American foreign policy has practically collapsed in less than a week, and Republicans—who mostly declined a chance to partly defund it just a year ago—aren’t shedding any tears. Plus, notes on Marco Rubio’s staffing headaches at State.
Tulsi Gabbard
Leigh Ann Caldwell February 3, 2025
News and notes on Tulsi Gabbard’s “rush job,” Kash Patel’s surprisingly strong showing, and R.F.K. Jr.’s knife’s edge.
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