Democrat News

Despite Democratic fears, predictions of the demise of President Barack Obama's agenda appear exaggerated after a week of cascading controversies, political triage by the administration and party leaders in Congress and lack of evidence to date of wrongdoing close to the Oval Office.

Seeking maximum political gain from the string of controversies swirling around the White House, Republicans are on the attack against Democratic lawmakers who accepted donations from the union that represents Internal Revenue Service employees.

President Barack Obama's budget would trim projected federal deficits by $1.1 trillion over the coming decade, using nearly $6 in higher revenues for every $1 in reduced spending to achieve it, Congress' nonpartisan budget analyst said Friday.

Lawmakers are wrestling with changes in the military justice system to improve investigation and prosecution of rape and sexual assault cases, with a push toward handling have sex crimes handled outside the normal chain of command.

"We may see production levels hit at least a million barrels a day we may see it go beyond that in the coming years," Justin Krigstad of the North Dakota Pipeline Authority said Thursday of the oil in that state.

Steven Miller, the outgoing acting commissioner of the IRS, apologized Friday "on behalf of the Internal Revenue Service for mistakes that we made and the poor service we provided." Miller made the remark at a House and Ways and Means Committee hearing over extra scrutiny that the IRS gave to conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status.

In this Feb. 22, 2009, file photo, bottles of Heinz organic tomato ketchup are on display inside Costco in Mountain View, Calif.

Whatever side of the debate you fall on, there's no denying that this week's passage of a bill legalizing same-sex marriage was a historical moment.

This week, the United States Army announced that one of its sergeants in Fort Hood, Texas, is facing allegations of pandering, abusive sexual contact, assault and maltreatment of subordinates.

In light of two new cases this month involving sexual assault in the military -- allegedly by the service members tasked to prevent such crimes -- legislation was introduced Thursday that could ease victims' quest for justice.

SPRINGFIELD – Politics has long been a family business in Illinois, a place where who you know – and who you're related to – matters more than most.

Congressional Republicans and Democrats on Wednesday challenged Attorney General Eric Holder over the Justice Department's handling of the investigation of national security leaks and its failure to talk to The Associated Press before issuing subpoenas for the news service's telephone records.

The House Agriculture Committee on Wednesday approved a sweeping farm bill that would trim the $80 billion-a-year food stamp program.

Puerto Rico's representative in Congress is seeking an unprecedented yes-or-no vote on whether the island should become the 51st state -- a measure that is riling many in the U.S. territory.

When a proposal to legalize gay marriage started gaining momentum in the home state of President Barack Obama, it seemed a quick and easy deal: The pastor of his former megachurch endorsed it with powerful testimony at the Capitol and Democrats control Illinois' government.

Scott and Robin Spivey had a sinking feeling that something was wrong with their home when cracks began snaking across their walls in March.

Lawmakers say they're outraged that for the second time this month a member of the armed forces assigned to help prevent sexual assaults in the military is under investigation for alleged sexual misconduct.

Minnesota became the 12th state to legalize same-sex marriages Tuesday after Gov.

After the tragic shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., it became much harder to avoid conversations about gun violence.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has directed the military to inspect its facilities and remove sexually explicit and degrading materials by July, according to the Pentagon's top officer in charge dealing with Maj.