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Articles by Seth McLaughlin

Christine O'Donnell, a former Republican candidate for Senate, said the case of Delaware of snooping on her taxes is "an active investigation now." (Associated Press)

Records of Christine O’Donnell tax snooping disappear

Delaware state officials have told Congress that they likely destroyed the computer records that would show when and how often they accessed Christine O'Donnell's personal tax records and acknowledged that a newspaper article was used as the sole justification for snooping into the former GOP Senate candidate's tax history.

July 23, 2013
** FILE ** Liz Cheney, who espouses the neoconservative views of her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, is challenging Sen. Michael B. Enzi, who has been swiftly endorsed by libertarian Sen. Rand Paul. (Associated Press)

Wyoming GOP primary race for Senate pits neocons vs. libertarians

The Republican primary for the U.S. Senate race in Wyoming could erupt into a proxy war in the battle between the libertarian and conservative wings of the party over national security, with Sen. Rand Paul supporting Sen. Michael B. Enzi in his re-election bid against the eldest daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney.

July 21, 2013
** FILE ** Liz Cheney, who espouses the neoconservative views of her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, is challenging Sen. Michael B. Enzi, who has been swiftly endorsed by libertarian Sen. Rand Paul. (Associated Press)

Wyoming GOP primary pits neocons vs. libertarians

The Republican primary for the U.S. Senate race in Wyoming could erupt into a proxy war in the battle between the libertarian and conservative wings of the party over national security, with Sen. Rand Paul supporting Sen. Michael B. Enzi in his re-election bid against the eldest daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney.

July 21, 2013
Sen. Marco Rubio is now taking stands on issues that could win back some friends among conservatives who criticized his immigration reform effort. (Associated Press)

Burned by immigration reform, Rubio shifts focus

Fresh off a bruising immigration bill fight that cost him support among some on the Republican right, Sen. Marco Rubio is refocusing on bread-and-butter issues that play better with the GOP base: defunding President Obama's health law, promoting pro-life policies and attacking the United Nations.

July 17, 2013
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada (left) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky are sparring on the eve of a session to change Senate rules to remove a 60-vote threshold for President Obama's nominations to win confirmation. Mr. Reid says the changes are minimal; Mr. McConnell says Mr. Reid would be "breaking the rules  in order to change the rules." (Associated Press)

Senate ‘nuclear option’ on filibusters defused — for now

The "nuclear option" has been defused — for now — after Republican senators said Tuesday they would drop their blockade of Richard Cordray to be the new head of a consumer protection bureau, ending for now what had appeared to be a major crisis over the filibuster and minority rights in the Senate.

July 16, 2013
** FILE ** Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, speaks with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington on Tuesday, July 9, 2013, following a Democratic strategy session. (Associated Press)

Harry Reid prepares Senate to go ‘nuclear,’ end nomination filibusters

Senate Democrats laid the groundwork Thursday to trigger the "nuclear option" against minority filibusters, setting up a dramatic Tuesday showdown in which Republicans either will have to accept seven of President Obama's controversial appointments or watch as Democrats change the rules and end filibusters of executive branch nominees.

July 11, 2013
**FILE** Sen. Marco Rubio, Florida Republican, speaks at the Faith and Freedom Coalition "Road to Majority" conference in Washington on June 13, 2013. (Associated Press)

Marco Rubio in hot water with tea party over immigration bill

Sen. Marco Rubio's popularity has plummeted among tea party activists who say the Florida Republican, who helped ignite their movement with his 2010 Senate bid, has failed to live up to the hype — and made a major wrong turn by joining Sen. John McCain's push to legalize illegal immigrants.

July 10, 2013
Thomas Rabe, right, places a wedding ring on Robert Coffman's finger during a marriage ceremony at City Hall in Baltimore, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) ** FILE **

GOP still struggling on gay marriage messaging

Virginia Attorney General Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II used to be on record supporting a federal constitutional amendment against same-sex marriage, but now that he is running for governor, he refuses to take a stand.

July 9, 2013
** FILE ** In this April 8, 2004, file photo, Texas Gov. Rick Perry makes a face and flexes his muscles as he talks with students at Fox Tech High School following the announcement of his school finance proposal in San Antonio. Perry announced Monday, July 8, 2013, that he would not seek re-election as Texas governor next year. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

Rick Perry not running for Texas governor, coy on 2016

Texas Gov. Rick Perry announced Monday that he will not seek a fourth term, fueling speculation of another White House run for the nation's longest-serving chief executive and opening the door for a new leader of the biggest GOP-leaning state.

July 8, 2013
Susan B. Anthony List and other pro-life groups have been lobbying Sen. Marco Rubio, Florida Republican, for weeks to lead the charge in the Senate on legislation would ban abortions 20 weeks into pregnancy, with exceptions for risks to the mother's life and rape or incest, though such a bill is unlikely to be taken up in the chamber. (Associated Press)

Rubio weighs sponsorship of bill to end abortions after 20 weeks

Sen. Marco Rubio is expected to sign on as the chief sponsor of a bill that calls for the end of most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy — a move that would put him in the thick of another politically charged national debate and perhaps shield him from the barrage of criticism he is facing on immigration.

July 3, 2013
** FILE ** Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes is the Democratic Party opponent of Sen. Mitch McConnell. (Associated Press)

Grimes says McConnell has lost touch with voters

Minutes after Alison Lundergan Grimes launched her Senate bid in Kentucky the battle lines were drawn, with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell tying the Democrat to President Obama and the agenda of "Washington liberals."

July 2, 2013
An Egyptian protesting President Mohammed Morsi waves a national flag in front of a banner criticizing Morsi and U.S. President Barack Obama in Tahrir Square, the focal point of Egyptian uprising, in Cairo on June 30, 2013. Thousands of opponents and supporters of the president began massing in city squares in competing rallies, gearing up for a day of massive nationwide protests that many fear could turn deadly as the opposition seeks to push out Mohammed Morsi. Arabic reads, "Leave." (Associated Press)

Obama appeals for restraint in Egyptian protests

Responding to the escalating anti-government protests in Egypt, President Obama warned Monday that there could be more violence and urged people on both sides of the uprising to "show restraint."

July 1, 2013