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The IRS loses up to $304 billion a year to fraud. It still has no antifraud strategy

Then-President Donald J. Trump's name is printed on a stimulus check issued by the IRS to help combat the adverse economic effects of the COVID-19 outbreak in this April 23, 2020 photo taken in San Antonio. Early in the pandemic, government relief checks became an attractive target for criminals. A federal inspector general sent a stark warning to Congress, saying they are leaving a massive amount of stolen taxpayer money in scammers' pockets because lawmakers haven't extended the statute of limitation on pandemic unemployment fraud. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

The IRS is a prime target for fraudsters, who bilk the tax agency out of as much as $300 billion a year in refunds or underpayments on taxes owed, according to a new analysis by Congress’s top watchdog.

Analysis

Russian Secret Service tech vendor posed as American to sell to U.S. security agencies

U.S. Secret Service Police observe from the roof of the White House, Saturday, May 23, 2026, in Washington, after reports of shots fired near the White House. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

By Rowan Scarborough - The Washington Times

A Northern Virginia software CEO duped U.S. front-line defense agencies, including the president’s personal security team, by boasting American ownership when Russians actually owned and operated the tech company and built the codes, new court files show.

U.S. Secret Service Police observe from the roof of the White House, Saturday, May 23, 2026, in Washington, after reports of shots fired near the White House. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Analysis

Russian Secret Service tech vendor posed as American to sell to U.S. security agencies

By Rowan Scarborough - The Washington Times

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty speaks to reporters with his Greek counterpart George Gerapetritis after their meeting in Athens, Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) ** FILE **

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‘We are paying a heavy price’: Egyptian FM says U.S.-Iran war straining regional economy

By Ben Wolfgang - The Washington Times

They spent thousands on a degree, only to earn less than a high school grad. For millions of career training students, the financial payoff never came. (FILE Photo by PeopleImages on Shutterstock)

The federal rule that cuts off aid to degrees that do not pay off

By The Washington Times AI News Desk

New Jersey Democratic Lt. Governor elect Dale Caldwell speaks during an election night party in East Brunswick, N.J., on Nov. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) **FILE**

New Jersey Lt. Gov. Caldwell resigns after ethics inquiry

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

The Supreme Court is seen in the morning at Capitol Hill in Washington on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) **FILE**

Supreme Court revives DHS’ database letting states check voters’ citizenship

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

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New Jersey Democratic Lt. Governor elect Dale Caldwell speaks during an election night party in East Brunswick, N.J., on Nov. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) **FILE**

New Jersey Lt. Gov. Caldwell resigns after ethics inquiry

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

The Supreme Court is seen in the morning at Capitol Hill in Washington on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) **FILE**

Supreme Court revives DHS’ database letting states check voters’ citizenship

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks at the Republican convention, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Trump eliminates Bessent from list of possible AI czars

By Jeff Mordock - The Washington Times

Pages from the Anthropic website and the company's logos are displayed on a computer screen in New York, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Sison, File)

Appeals court rules Defense Department can blacklist AI company Anthropic

By Mike Glenn - The Washington Times

Commentary View all

China controlling the climate change narrative in the United States of America illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Guess who’s behind the left’s climate hysteria

By Kelly Sadler

Democrats and health insurance companies illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

Why would we ever trust Democrats on fuel prices or healthcare?

By Tim Murtaugh

Defendant Lindsay Clancy looks at the jury after Judge William Sullivan declared a mistrial in Clancy's murder trial on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in Plymouth, Mass. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Why women’s reaction to Lindsay Clancy should terrify us

By Billy Hallowell

FILE - Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey takes questions from reporters, Jan. 31, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

Scary Gov. Healey wants to put bureaucrats into the homes of newborns

By Editorial Board

Marriage and having children illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

Americans increasingly believe in marriage before children

By Timothy S. Goeglein

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Culture View all

Chris Hansen, Outstanding Multiple Camera Editing, Crime Watch Daily With Chris Hansen at the 44th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards Gala on April 28, 2017 in Pasadena, CA. File photo credit: Joe Seer via Shutterstock.

Chris Hansen blasts Robert Pattinson’s ‘Primetime’ as ‘bizarre’

By The Washington Times AI News Desk

Musician Todd Rundgren participates in AOL's BUILD Speaker Series to discuss his new album "Global" at AOL Studios on Wednesday, May 6, 2015, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Todd Rundgren says Taylor Swift ‘ruined music’

By The Washington Times AI News Desk

This photo provided by CBS News shows Dan Rather with CBS correspondent Lee Cowan during an interview on “CBS Sunday Morning." Rather returned to the CBS News airwaves Sunday, April 28, 2024, for the first time since his bitter exit 18 years ago, appearing in a reflective interview on “CBS Sunday Morning” days before the debut of a Netflix documentary on the 92-year-old newsman's life. (CBS News via AP)

Dan Rather, 94, returns to Instagram after six years to promote his blog

By The Washington Times AI News Desk

Jay-Z looks on ahead of the start the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and Norway in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Jay-Z’s accuser fully recants rape allegations in new filing

By The Washington Times AI News Desk

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United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the media after meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Did Trump use Taiwan arms as a carrot in summit with Xi?

Friday, September 25 2026

U.S. Secret Service Police observe from the roof of the White House, Saturday, May 23, 2026, in Washington, after reports of shots fired near the White House. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Analysis
Russian Secret Service tech vendor posed as American to sell to U.S. security agencies

By Rowan Scarborough - The Washington Times

China, Taiwan and the United States of America illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Commentary
Will the Trump-Xi summit meet expectations?

By Joseph R. DeTrani

In this image provided by NASA, the Artemis II crew captured this view of the Earth next to the Moon before Earthset during a lunar flyby, Monday, April 6, 2026. (NASA via AP)

LISTEN: Inside the mission to the far side of the moon

Trump Central View all

President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, China's President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, with Bradford Wilson, Archivist of the United States, view the Constitution, Bill of Rights and other documents at the National Archives, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump caps Xi visit with a trip to the National Archives to showcase America’s young democracy

By Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump, center right, and first lady Melania Trump, right, greet China's President Xi Jinping, center left, and his wife Peng Liyuan as they arrive at the South Portico of the White House for tea, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Trump says U.S., China made progress during talks: ‘Very positive’

By Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping walk in the Grand Foyer of the White House during a State Dinner, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Xi is wrapping his visit to Washington with a peek at the Constitution and the Bill of Rights

By Michelle L. Price - Associated Press

President Donald Trump shakes hands with China's President Xi Jinping in the East Room of the White House during a State Dinner, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump, Xi seize on AI rivalry to bring the two rival superpowers closer together

By Kerry Picket, Jeff Mordock and Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times

Campaign 2026 View all

The Supreme Court is seen in the morning at Capitol Hill in Washington on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) **FILE**

Supreme Court revives DHS’ database letting states check voters’ citizenship

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump speaks at the Republican convention, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

U.S. government foots bill for television advertisement featuring Trump’s midterm messaging

By Mike Catalini - Associated Press

This photo taken with a smartphone shows Steve Perry, of Kansas City, holding a sign in opposition to Missouri’s congressional redistricting plan on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, outside the state Capitol, in Jefferson City, Mo. (AP Photo/David A. Lieb)

Supreme Court asked to halt Missouri’s gerrymandered map — again

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

Former New Jersey Gov. and then-then Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie speaks during a gathering in Manchester, N.H., on June 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) **FILE**

‘Third time is the charm’: Chris Christie eyes a 2028 presidential run

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

Politics View all

New Jersey Democratic Lt. Governor elect Dale Caldwell speaks during an election night party in East Brunswick, N.J., on Nov. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) **FILE**

New Jersey Lt. Gov. Caldwell resigns after ethics inquiry

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks at the Republican convention, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Trump eliminates Bessent from list of possible AI czars

By Jeff Mordock - The Washington Times

The Supreme Court is seen on the morning after the conservative majority sided with the Trump administration in a case over President Donald Trump's executive order restricting mail-in voting, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

NYC’s high school affirmative action policy challenged in Supreme Court

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

SNAP EBT information sign is displayed at a gas station in Riverwoods, Ill., Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

SNAP fraud costs agencies $4.29 per dollar lost

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

Dive Deeper View all

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, right, speaks as Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., left, listens during a news conference on Capitol Hill, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

College sports act overcomes filibuster in Senate, heading toward passage

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

The Winn Correctional Center, an ICE detention facility, is seen in this aerial photo in Winnfield, La., April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)

ICE rushed to buy 11 warehouses for detention. Now it’s trying to sell 7 of them

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., speaks during the confirmation hearing for Kash Patel at the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) ** FILE **

Foxes guarding the server room? Senators smell a rat as Big Tech begs Washington to regulate AI

By Lindsey McPherson - The Washington Times

A Flock Safety license plate reader is seen along a public road, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

Woman spent 86 hours in solitary confinement over misused Flock camera report

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

National View all

Palestinians walk amid war-damaged buildings in Gaza City, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

Oregon cafe scratches plan to build free coffee shop in Gaza

By Brad Matthews - The Washington Times

Adm. Kevin Lunday, then-acting commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, speaks during a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing on his nomination for Commandant of the Coast Guard, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) ** FILE **

Coast Guard nabs huge cocaine haul, arrests suspected drug smugglers

By Mike Glenn - The Washington Times

FILE - The Supreme Court is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, file)

DHS takes ‘third countries’ deportation fight to Supreme Court

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

The Theodore Roosevelt Building, location of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, is pictured, Feb. 13, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

Federal workforce cuts hurt majority of Washington region, says poll

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

World View all

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during the POW/MIA National Recognition Day Ceremony at the Pentagon, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Pentagon creates new office to reduce duplicate programs, wasteful spending

By Mike Glenn - The Washington Times

Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev addresses a plenary session at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Friday, June 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)

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Uzbekistan converts diplomacy into capital as it draws closer to Trump

By Vaughn Cockayne - The Washington Times

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the media after meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Rubio says delay in arms sales to Taiwan based on U.S. weapons-building concerns

By Bill Gertz - The Washington Times

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during the 81st session of the U.N. General Assembly at United Nations headquarters, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy says he urged Trump to enlist China’s help in ending Russia’s invasion

By Hanna Arhirova and Barry Hatton - Associated Press

Sports View all

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) is carted off the field after an apparent injury in the first half against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Commanders’ Daniels avoids IR, considered week-to-week with elbow dislocation

By Liam Griffin - The Washington Times

Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Daronte Jones speaks to the media during an NFL football press conference, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Ashburn, Va. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Maryland natives with Commanders shrug off homecoming ahead of Seahawks game

By Liam Griffin - The Washington Times

Maryland head coach Mike Locksley reacts during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Rutgers, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)

What would it cost Maryland to move on from Locksley?

By George Gerbo - The Washington Times

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is sacked by New Orleans Saints defensive end Chase Young (99) in the second half of an NFL football game in Baltimore, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Cowboys look to corral Ravens’ Jackson in Brazil

By Schuyler Dixon - Associated Press

Higher Ground View all

Marriage and having children illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

Commentary

Americans increasingly believe in marriage before children

By Timothy S. Goeglein

Artifacts and memorabilia depicting the late Archbishop Fulton Sheen are displayed in the Sheen Museum on July 15, 2026, in Peoria, Ill. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)

Famed radio and TV priest Fulton Sheen to be beatified in St. Louis, a step away from sainthood

By Peter Smith - Associated Press

Nick Vujicic was born without arms or legs, battled loneliness and hopelessness, and prayed for a miracle that never came. Billy Hallowell sits down with Mr. Vujicic to discuss his remarkable journey and his new film, "No Limbs, No Limits: The Nick V Story."

Video
God, Country and the American Story: Why God doesn’t always give us a miracle

Defendant Lindsay Clancy looks at the jury after Judge William Sullivan declared a mistrial in Clancy's murder trial on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in Plymouth, Mass. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Commentary
Why women’s reaction to Lindsay Clancy should terrify us

By Billy Hallowell

Podcasts View all

Threat Status Podcast

LISTEN: The mission to the far side of the moon

Mike Creech joins Threat Status

God, Country and the American Story

WATCH: God, Country and the American Story

Why God doesn’t always give us a miracle

Bold & Blunt Podcast

WATCH: DSA dominated by overeducated elitists

Nicholas Giordano joins Bold and Blunt

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Get today’s top stories in under five minutes

Listen to the Front Page Podcast

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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks at the Republican convention, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Trump eliminates Bessent from list of possible AI czars

By Jeff Mordock - The Washington Times

Pages from the Anthropic website and the company's logos are displayed on a computer screen in New York, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Sison, File)

Appeals court rules Defense Department can blacklist AI company Anthropic

By Mike Glenn - The Washington Times

Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., speaks to the crowd as protesters gather outside the Supreme Court as it hears arguments over state laws barring transgender girls and women from playing on school athletic teams, Jan. 13, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

‘Lord help us’: Tuberville decries ‘furry’ culture on the Senate floor 35 minutes ago

By Seth McLaughlin - The Washington Times

The U.S. Capitol is seen in Washington, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Democrats in position to flip 5-15 House seats, retake majority, per Cook Political Report

By Lindsey McPherson - The Washington Times

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi listens to his Iraqi counterpart Fouad Hussein during a news conference after a meeting at the Foreign Ministry in Baghdad, Iraq, on Sunday, June 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban) ** FILE **

Iran floats seven-day plan to end the war, reopen Strait of Hormuz

By Vaughn Cockayne - The Washington Times

The U.S. Capitol is seen in Washington, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Democrats favor Trump impeachment over a coup, but 59% still back one, poll says

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump shakes hands with China's President Xi Jinping in the East Room of the White House during a State Dinner, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump, Xi seize on AI rivalry to bring the two rival superpowers closer together

By Kerry Picket, Jeff Mordock and Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times

The Winn Correctional Center, an ICE detention facility, is seen in this aerial photo in Winnfield, La., April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)

ICE rushed to buy 11 warehouses for detention. Now it’s trying to sell 7 of them

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

Supporters of Yemen's Houthi rebels raise their rifles during a rally in support of the group and to protest Saudi Arabia's accusation that the Houthis targeted Islam's holiest site of Mecca, in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Osamah Abdulrahman)

Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia put new three-country mutual defense pact to test

By Jacob Wirtschafter - Special to The Washington Times

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds up a Starlink satellite internet dish a he speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations headquarters, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Netanyahu dismisses opponents, praises Trump in brash speech at United Nations

By Vaughn Cockayne - The Washington Times

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, right, speaks as Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., left, listens during a news conference on Capitol Hill, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

College sports act overcomes filibuster in Senate, heading toward passage

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

A sign in support of news outlets is seen at the White House press room, Sept. 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

The stories that got them banned: Trump lists ‘reporting incidents’ in letters to three news outlets

By Susan Ferrechio - The Washington Times

Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., questions Jay Clayton, President Donald Trump's pick to head the nation's intelligence agencies, as he appears for his confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Seen, Heard & Whispered: Ossoff’s glam tab, gun-owner math and a senator who isn’t

By Alex Swoyer - The Washington Times

The District of Columbia's main government building, the John A. Wilson Building, in Washington. File photo credit: Kosoff via Shutterstock.

More than a third of D.C. landlords still can’t collect rent, survey finds

By Sean Salai - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump talks with China's President Xi Jinping during a State Dinner in the East Room of the White House, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump, Xi hail friendly relations at White House state dinner

By Kerry Picket and Jeff Mordock - The Washington Times

The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln arrives at the port in Laem Chabang, Chonburi, Thailand, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Sen. Gillibrand blasts administration after eight sailors in Lincoln strike group attempted suicide

By Mike Glenn - The Washington Times

FILE - The Supreme Court is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, file)

DHS takes ‘third countries’ deportation fight to Supreme Court

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump speaks with the media before boarding Air Force One, Monday, March 23, 2026, at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) ** FILE **

White House: Trump spent more than 21,000 minutes this term talking to the press

By Susan Ferrechio - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump, center right, speaks with China's President Xi Jinping, center left, as they stand on the new helipad next to a presidential helicopter during a tour of the South Lawn of the White House, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Xi, Trump conclude bilateral meeting

By Jeff Mordock and Kerry Picket - The Washington Times

Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., listens as President Donald Trump speaks during an event on energy production in the East Room of the White House in Washington on April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) **FILE**

Senate Republicans shoot down Democrats’ end-the-war resolution

By George Caldwell - The Washington Times