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The article focuses on a debate between U.S. Intelligence Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein of California and Judiciary Chairman Patrick J. Leahy related to government surveillance by the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA). It states that Feinstein reveals that he will try to change key provisions of a bill related to surveillance. It highlights that Feinstein has stated that she will try to protect the bill.

The article asserts that U.S. lawmakers can succeed in passing the legislation when the goals are small and they avoid the nation's biggest issues. It states that the Democrats and Republicans met the deadline to produce a framework that provided relief from sequestration, set top-line discretionary spending figures for 2014 and 2015 and cut the odds of another government shutdowns by avoiding to address the nation's most pressing issues. Signs of measured dealmaking are also mentioned.

The article examines one element of the legacy of U.S. President Barack Obama, which is his success at acting unilaterally in the face of opposition to his goals from congressional Republicans, and what will it mean for the balance of power among the branches of the government. It describes the possibility that the effect of his efforts to win his aims strengthen the hand of future presidents and weaken that of future Congresses. It cites instances where he bypassed Republican opposition. INSET: The Administration's Angles.

The article discusses the major laws that were voted on by the U.S. Congress in 2012. It highlights the 24 key votes accomplished by the Senate and House chambers and summarizes the component political issues resolved by lawmakers for each vote. The article cites several bills that were passed, cleared, or adopted including the Temporary Payroll Tax Cut or HR 3630, Fiscal 2013 Budget Resolution or H Con Res 112, and Repeal of Health Care Overhaul or HR 6079.

The article discusses the legislative actions and achievements of the 112th U.S. Congress in 2012. In 2012, the Congress reauthorized surface transportation, flood insurance, defense and federal aviation programs. Lawmakers also established normal trade relations with Russia and toughened sanctions on Iran. However, the Congress failed to reauthorize federal farm assistance programs and also failed to overhaul the Postal Service.

The article provides a state-by-state report on the standings of the Republican and Democratic national election nominees. A large number of electoral votes come from states where neither presidential candidates Barack Obama and Mitt Romney has a commanding lead. As of August, 2012, Obama can count on 201 electoral votes and Romney can count on 191. Eight Senate seats are in tossups while of 435 House seats, 194 seats are in Republicans' hands and 156 are in Democrats' side.

The article focuses on issues regarding federal sentencing laws in the U.S., highlighting the efforts of senate conservatives and liberals to update the country's prison laws. It mentions the move of Conservative Utah Republican Mike Lee as well as liberal Illinois Democrat Richard J. Durbin to draft the sentencing measure, which was approved by the Judiciary Committee. Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada is featured.

The article discusses efforts to overhaul the U.S. immigration policy amid a campaign to convince House Republicans to act in 2013 or pay a political price in 2014. An immigration bill is seen to give House Republicans a much-needed boost with Hispanic and moderate voters as well as an opportunity to rebuild their image after being blamed for the government shutdown as shown in polls. It warns that the dynamics that caused the shutdown are also at play with the immigration issue.

The article reports that the U.S. Supreme Court is working on resolving legal issues related to a Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act mandate which requires businesses to pay for federally approved contraception methods for their employees. Some business owners have argued that the requirement violates their rights under both the U.S. Constitution and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The U.S. government has argued that for-profit businesses are not entitled to exemptions.

The article focuses on gun laws of California which are being commended by advocates, while others are expressing doubt about their effectiveness due to the rates of gun violence in the state, based on U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) statistics. According to state Representative Mike Thompson, gun violence would decline nationally if these laws were adopted by the country. It talks about some gun bills using existing laws in the state as a model introduced by Democrats.

The article discusses the possibility of introducing gun control legislation in the U.S. President Barack Obama has called for the passing of gun control legislation. While Democrats have avoided the gun control issue since 1994, many of them are now pushing Obama's proposed policy changes. Democrats are also more receptive to restricting guns as compared to Republicans. According to the author, despite Obama's call, the country still favors firearms.

The article discusses a proposal by U.S. President Barack Obama to prioritize legislation that enforces stricter control on ownership of guns and ammunition. It notes that the Obama Administration's new call for gun control comes in the aftermath of the shooting-murders of schoolchildren and teachers in Connecticut in December 2012. The key components of President Obama's proposal include background checks to be conducted for all gun sales, and a ban on high-powered assault weapons.

The article discusses gun control in the U.S. after the massacre at a Connecticut elementary school. A December 19-22, 2012 survey done by USA Today/Gallup revealed that 58% are in favor of implementing tougher gun control laws while a Pew Research Center survey done December 17-19, 2012 showed 49% expressing that controlling gun ownership is more important than the right to own guns. The Gun Owners of American believes that the issue could be best addressed by giving more access to guns. INSET: Household Gun Ownership Declining.

The article reports that James F. Holderman, chief judge of a U.S. federal district court in Chicago, Illinois, announced in September 2012 that he was considering closing the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois for one day each week between January and September 2013. According to the author, the proposal is just one step that Holderman is considering to meet the automatic spending "sequester" dictated by the debt reduction deal.

The article discusses the impending decision of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on whether South Carolina violated the federal Voting Rights Act when it enacted a law that requires voters to show photo identification before they can cast their ballots. According to the author, the decision could also have an impact on a much broader debate over voting rights law.

The article offers a perspective on the hidden threats to environmental and civil rights laws posed by the ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court upholding the constitutionality of the 2010 health care reform. Liberals express concern about the potential of the ruling to help conservatives and libertarians to weaken government power and to place restraint on the Commerce Clause. Legal observers see the limited ability of states to expand Medicaid programs to set a precedent to other funding cuts.

The article discusses the developments in the case of the constitutionality of the health care law, which is being reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court. It specifically examines the consequences if the court upholds the law. Among the issues to be decided by the court is the constitutionality of the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). The opinion of Independent Women's Forum senior policy analyst Hadley Heath on the law is also cited.

The article focuses on stand of U.S. Intelligence Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein of California and Judiciary Chairman Patrick J. Leahy related to government surveillance. Feinstein states that since there is an increase in terrorist activity the U.S. government should pass a bill related to surveillance. It mentions that Leahy wants the bill to pass but with changes.

The article focuses on the appearances of U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder on Capitol Hill in 2013 that shows his bitter relationship with Congressional Republicans who criticized him for not carrying out his constitutional duties. It offers information on the contempt citation faced by Holder and on the possibility of being impeached. The two reasons why Holder is still at his post after several difficult years are cited.

The author discusses the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee's approval of a legislative bill sponsored by Senator Charles E. Schumer, which would grant protection to journalists against government intrusion in the newsgathering process. One of the amendments approved by the committee is the definition of the term "journalist" that determine who would be protected by the legislation. The bill's potential perils for Internet bloggers, freelance writers, and citizen journalists are also explored.

The article reports that Republican legislators have started to consider relaxing federal criminal penalties. It highlights the House Judiciary Committee's creation of a bipartisan task force that will examine overcriminalization in the federal justice system and the "ever-increasing labyrinth" of criminal penalties.

The article discusses issues facing Republican legislators in the U.S. House of Representatives with regard to gun control legislation. It mentions the U.S. Senate's voting down of several elements of U.S. President Barack Obama's gun policy agenda. Republican leaders' possible approval of a proposed background check law that expires at the end of the year is addressed. The risks Republicans face from working collaboratively with Democrats on gun control issues are also discussed.

The article reports that U.S. President Barack Obama announced that efforts to reform U.S. gun laws will continue despite the rejection of the proposed gun control bill S. 649 at the U.S. Senate. It notes that broad amendments to the gun control bill were defeated after most of these failed to garner the required 60 votes for each measure. The article cites that the bill might merit more support if amendments were made to remove controversial language on extended background checks.

The article reports that the U.S. Senate voted to bring to the floor a measure aimed at addressing background checks, straw purchases, and school safety on April 11, 2013. According to the author, 60 votes were required to overcome Republican opposition led by Rand Paul of Kentucky, Mike Lee of Utah, and Ted Cruz of Texas. The author adds that many Republicans pointed out that they simply supported debating gun policy, not the legislation itself.

The article reports that the consideration of a spending measure to cover the entire U.S. government for the balance of fiscal year of 2013 will continue on March 18, 2013 after senators were unable to reach agreement on how to handle scores of possible amendments to the legislation. According to the author, Majority Leader Harry Reid has encouraged aides on both sides to work out a finite list of amendments to avert a cloture vote on the bill.

The article highlights the principles outlined by a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators for the comprehensive overhaul of current immigration law. Eight senators urged their colleagues to write legislation and pass a bill. Information shows some of the details of the proposal, including technology, infrastructure and personnel for the Border Patrol, increased use of unmanned aerial drones, and an entry-exit system to track temporary visa holders.

The article discusses the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to hear the same-sex marriage case, U.S. v. Windsor, which challenges the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act of 1996, a federal law that defines marriage as the legal union of a man and a woman. Many legal experts, including Stephen I. Vladeck and John P. Elwood talked about the potential implication of the SC's move on the balance of power in the House.

The article observes that election observers, campaign lawyers for the Democratic and Republican parties, voting rights advocates and others are gearing up for the possibility of legal battles during the November 2012 election over practices that thwart fair balloting, especially in battleground states. It suggests that the biggest problem is widespread confusion over which election rules to apply. The article also details potential Election Day legal battles in Pennsylvania, Florida and Ohio.

The article reports that issues about the U.S. Supreme Court will not take prominence in the presidential elections. It notes several cases that the court faces in its new term including affirmative action and same-sex marriage. The article cites that despite the controversy that followed after upholding the health care law, the Supreme Court has been spared from further political scrutiny in the presidential campaigns of U.S. President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney.

The article reveals that both sides in the political and legal standoff over a U.S. Department of Justice guntracking operation claimed vindication in September 2012, after the release of a report which recommends that 14 officials at the department and at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) be investigated further for their roles in operation Fast and Furious. Republicans have accused Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. of not revealing information.

The article presents the achievements of U.S. presidential candidate Mitt Romney as governor of Massachusetts. Romney took opposition to tax increases, created the country's first state requirement that residents purchase health insurance and signed into law a permanent state ban on assault weapons. Romney also decreased the state's budget deficit of 3 billion U.S. dollars, pulled down unemployment rate and supported a crackdown on illegal immigrants.