Oversight

Analysis: The Sequester Is a Disaster, and Congress's Next Move May Be Worse

From national parks to medical research, cuts are undermining what makes America great. Yet Republicans seem set on shutting down the government or even default.

Defense

Analysis: The U.S. Government Still Isn't Ready for a Catastrophic Terror Attack

If a major attack incapacitated the president, Congress, or Supreme Court, the nation would have no way to replace them -- despite 12 years of warnings.

Oversight

Analysis: McCain May Be Our Only Hope for Forging Fiscal Deal

The Republican senator is the natural leader of the forces for pragmatic sanity in the party.

Oversight

Analysis: Boehner’s Passive-Aggressive Style Heightens Risk of Government Shutdown

The House has nine legislative days left after recess to pass spending bills and reconcile them with the Senate.

Management

Analysis: Government Privatization Paves the Way for Crony Corruption

It’s dangerous business when private contractors recruit top government employees and then effectively lease them back to the government.

Management

The Myth of Presidential Leadership

Many Washington pundits are critical of the president’s ability to wrangle concessions out of Congress, but they forget that his power has limits.