Politics

Despite sequester, high-level federal executives slated to get bonuses

An elite group of federal employees is set to receive cash bonuses despite this year’s automatic budget cuts, according to a report that a Senate subcommittee issued Friday. » read more

Posted on Fri, May 17, 2013

Obama, lawmakers tackle military sexual assault

In a one-two punch from both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue on Thursday, lawmakers introduced a sweeping revision to military sexual-assault law and the president summoned his uniformed service chiefs. The politically popular bill and the high-profile White House meeting underscore how recent cases and reports have rapidly turned combating military sexual assault into a bipartisan high priority. » read more

Posted on Thu, May 16, 2013

In IRS scandal, why is any political group exempt from taxes?

The Internal Revenue Service is under fire for giving extra scrutiny to conservative organizations that asked for tax-exempt status. But the scandal begs a broader question: Why are political organizations getting this government subsidy anyway? » read more

Posted on Thu, May 16, 2013

Hoe, hoe, hoe! Christmas trees are back, in new farm bill

A Christmas tree-promotion program that pumped up conservative mockery and panicked the Obama administration is back for a second go-around, under a new farm bill. » read more

Posted on Thu, May 16, 2013

IRS scandal puts the caffeine back in tea party

Republicans think the Internal Revenue Service controversy is the magic weapon for beating up Democrats, because nothing resonates with the American public like potential IRS abuse. » read more

Posted on Thu, May 16, 2013

Senate committee backs EPA nominee Gina McCarthy

After boycotting the same confirmation vote a week earlier, Republican senators agreed Thursday to show up for a committee vote on President Barack Obama’s pick to be the nation’s top air and water quality regulator. » read more

Posted on Thu, May 16, 2013

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Planet Washington

"Planet Washington" is a group blog by journalists in McClatchy's Washington Bureau. Send a story suggestion.

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