What’s a ‘Significant Error’? Standard & Poor’s Says Leave It To Us

Aug. 10, 2011, 3:39 p.m.

What Does the S&P Downgrade Mean, If France Is Rated Higher Than the U.S.?

Aug. 8, 2011, 5:38 p.m.

The decision by credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s to downgrade the United States raises important questions about the reliability of credit ratings and the firms that bestow them.

While on Summer Recess, Congress Blocks Recess Appointments

Aug. 3, 2011, 2:55 p.m.

Even though hordes of lawmakers have left D.C., neither chamber of Congress officially adjourned.

FAQ: Why Congress Flew Home While Airport Inspectors Work Without Pay

Aug. 3, 2011, 12:57 p.m.

Largely overshadowed by the debt debate, congressional deadlock has forced parts of the Federal Aviation Administration to shut down—halting construction, furloughing workers and costing millions.

As Somalia Starves, U.S. Softens Terrorism Rules That Restricted Aid

Aug. 2, 2011, 3:19 p.m.

As Debt Limit Deadline Draws Closer, We (Sadly) Explain What ‘Default’ Could Mean

July 29, 2011, 12:14 p.m.

Whatever Happened to the War Powers Act Controversy?

July 26, 2011, 1 p.m.

Last month’s biggest controversy was never resolved—it was tabled as lawmakers moved on to the next big fight.

Could James Murdoch Be Punished If He Lied Before Parliament?

July 25, 2011, 1:05 p.m.

If Rupert Murdoch’s son is found to have misled Parliament, punishment is possible in theory, but uncommon in practice.

Facing Bribery Inquiry, News Corp. Lawyers Up With Former Federal Prosecutors

July 21, 2011, 12:41 p.m.

Report Finds ‘Relatively Little’ in Aid to Pakistan Is Contingent on Cooperation

July 20, 2011, 1:41 p.m.

In An Unusual Criminal Case, the U.S. Points the Finger at Pakistan’s Top Spy Agency Again

July 20, 2011, 12:24 a.m.

In an indictment unsealed Tuesday, the FBI accused two men of funneling millions of dollars from the Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate, or ISI, into political campaign donations and other activities meant to influence American policy on Kashmir.

Memo Offers Glimpse of a House Ethics Panel Rocked by Its Own Ethics Troubles

July 19, 2011, 1:51 p.m.

Officials Warn That Foreclosure Probes May Prove Inadequate

July 18, 2011, 12:41 p.m.

Judge Says Feds Have ‘Misled the Public’ on Controversial Immigration Program

July 14, 2011, 10:43 a.m.

Lawmakers Attempt to Roll Back Expanded Oversight of Offshore Drilling

July 13, 2011, 11:50 a.m.

Explaining the Latest on the Debt-Ceiling Drama

July 12, 2011, 12:21 p.m.

Super-PACs and Dark Money: ProPublica’s Guide to the New World of Campaign Finance

July 11, 2011, 1:38 p.m.

As the nation gets ready for more record-breaking election spending, here’s a closer look at the secretive groups working hard to influence the outcome.

Embroiled in Controversy, ATF Has Long Been Leaderless and Hamstrung

July 5, 2011, 1:58 p.m.

Spinal Product Controversy Raises Red Flags on Medical Journals’ Disclosure Policies

July 1, 2011, 10:27 a.m.

Medical journals have long had to wrestle with the possibility that financial bias influences the work they publish, but if the growing controversy over Medtronic’s Infuse spinal product is any indication, they may not be doing enough.