We have been studying Washington politics and Congress for more than 40 years, and never have we seen them this dysfunctional. In our past writings, we have criticized both parties when we believed it was warranted. Today, however, we have no choice but to acknowledge that the core of the problem lies with the Republican Party.

Trading a lifetime in prison for a decade, Jack Abramoff has agreed to sing, not sotto voce but fortissimo.

"Concurrency" in defense programs–that is, overlapping development and production of weapons systems–has long been a controversial Pentagon practice. Now the Obama Pentagon is threatening to rewrite the procurement rules in a way that would make it extremely difficult to have the option of concurrent development and production.

Many political analysts may try to draw conclusions about this year's midterm elections but it is difficult to assert any great political truths based on midterm contests.

The arrival of the 110th Congress has prompted talk of a new era of rigorous and far-reaching Congressional investigations on any number of topics.

Chinese telecom-equipment maker Huawei has become a global corporate giant, yet security concerns from US officials have kept it from gaining a foothold in America, intensifying US-China tensions. In a time of great economic need, US desire for foreign direct investment from China is clashing with fears over cyber attacks from organizations suspected to be under Beijing’s influence.

The Supreme Court is highly regarded by the American people in part because it sticks to its business and keeps its profile low.

Thomas Reed was an important, if often forgotten, speaker of the House.