Back in 1995 and 1996, a government shutdown actually happened -- twice. The debt ceiling was not raised, but the country did not default. President Clinton actively used his veto pen, as the Republicans sent him bills that they knew he would not sign.

With the possibility of a government shutdown looming, it's hard not to see how uncomfortable both Speaker of the House John Boehner and President Barack Obama are at this sort of bare-knuckles game.

John Boehner is having a rough week, but the real fight within the Republican Party has only just begun.

Rep. Heath Shuler plans to vote for himself rather than Rep. Nancy Pelosi during Wednesday's floor vote for Speaker, and he predicted Monday that Demo...

Send in the clowns! No, that's not a statement on Congress returning to Washington next week. Although if you choose to read it that way, I certainly...

The Republican Party could regain control of the U.S. House of Representatives in next Tuesday's midterm elections for the first time since losing pow...

To put into perspective what a non-event the Nashville meeting was, you need to understand that fewer than 600 people showed up for what was supposed to be the event that changes American politics.

Republicans don't have to worry about putting Nancy Pelosi "in her place," the Speaker told reporters Thursday: She's already there. "I'm in my place...

Sadly, Obama's speech to school children has become mired in manufactured controversy from the right, with typical sky-is-falling rhetoric about the evil, evil man who occupies the Oval Office.

Ted Kennedy is putting both his legacy and his sense of entitlement to his office before the interests of his constituents.

Simply for acting like a leader this week, Speaker Pelosi wins the Most Impressive Democrat Of The Week award hands-down.

"I'm bitter," Sir Knavely told me. He raised his glass and drank. His furry chin went deep into his Tiger's Milk. Then he set it down. "Why are ...

Pelosi can be defended for being in an impossible situation at the time. Even if she disagreed with the policy, there simply wasn't much for her to do about it.

Barney Frank cemented an impression of Democrats and the Treasury Secretary working together to find a solution to the national crisis, while GOP bomb throwers let their egos rule the day.

So the Republicans are saying they lost the vote because Nancy Pelosi gave a speech that offended twelve of their members. Well Barney Frank has an o...