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The article focuses on Dan Donovan, a U.S. district attorney who defeated Staten Island, New York Councilman Vincent Gentile and claimed the U.S. House of Representative seat of disgraced party colleague Michael G. Grimm in a special election on May 5, 2015.

The article reports on a 2015 legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen that aims to put a woman on the 20 U.S. dollar bill by 2020. Topics include the legislation's goal to direct the U.S. Treasury secretary to convene a panel of citizens to recommend who should appear on the bill, and the similar bill introduced by U.S. Representative Luis V. Gutierrez in the House.

The article focuses on the confrontations of the U.S. between Russia, China and Iran that has increased the risks of accidental war. It mentions the encounter of the U.S. with Russia when two Russian Tu-142 Bear bombers charging at the massive U.S. warship. It notes the actions taken by the U.S. Navy in South China which is considered by the Pentagon as a freedom of navigation exercise in international waters.

The article reports on the efforts made by the U.S to control the Syrian uprising since it began in March 2011. Topics discussed include involvement of the U.S Central Intelligence Agency in Syrian conflicts, establishment of a team by U.S. Ambassador to Syria Robert S. Ford to take control of rebels and mass immigration of Syrian people during the year of civil wars from 2011-2015.

The article examines the emergence of Nevada and Delaware as tax shelters. Topics mentioned include Delaware and Nevada being frequently listed as the states with the least transparent incorporation laws, how Delaware is exempted from taxation nonstate holding companies and profits generated by intangible assets, and how Nevada does not tax corporate income, individual income or capital gains.

The article discusses the seven decades of "CQ Weekly" magazine in covering the U.S. Congress by providing news and analysis of all aspects of legislative activity and politics. It explores the establishment of journalists Nelson and Henrietta Poynter of the magazine, describes the changes in politics and policymaking since the publication's first volume, and looks at the transformations in the congressional way of life. Key events in the history of the U.S. Congress are noted.

The article explores some technology measures that make it difficult for the U.S. Congress to keep them relevant. It notes that legislators are slow in debating technology policy, but advances in the sector are growing rapidly. It suggests that the Congress should focus on cybersecurity policies to prevent risks to privacy, copyrights and national security.

The article reports on why billionaire donors do not need lobbyists to access the U.S. Congress. Topics include the investment made by billionaires in supporting federal candidates and super political action committees, the goal of donors to shift the agenda in Washington before anybody crafts a bill or drops a bill, and the biggest donors in the 2012 and 2014 election cycles including investment firm Farallon Capital and distributing company Richard & Elizabeth Uihlein.

The article takes a look at the new careers and pre-occupations of former members of the U.S. Congress. It notes that 64 lawmakers left Congress on January 3, 2015 to pursue careers as lawyers, consultants, lobbyists or be in semi-retirement status. It cites that former U.S. Senator Mark Pryor has joined law firm Venable LLP, while former U.S. Congressman Saxby Chambliss is employed at the DLA Piper global law firm.

The article offers information on an announcement made by New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman regarding an investigation which revealed that four out of five herbal products sold at major retailers such as Walgreens and Wal-Mart didn't contain the ingredients listed on their labels, but were instead made of cheap fillers such as powdered radish. It informs that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued warnings about an amphetamine-like stimulant contained in diet supplements.

The article reports on the emergence of a new arms race in outer space as of May 2015 and considers this development as an updated reprisal of a contest that began during the Cold War. Topics include the move of Russia and China to step-up anti-satellite weapons testing, the U.S.' military response to boost spending to protect satellites, and the challenges created by the gathering tension for the U.S. Congress and the U.S. Pentagon including the chances of military conflict. INSET: Trashing Space.

The article focuses on the curious reversals and allegiances that define the politics of criminal justice at the present time. In the U.S. Congress, strange partners are creating bills to ease the social and economic toll of incarceration. The minimum prison sentences enacted with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986 are blamed for a mass incarceration mess. Prisons have become overcrowded over the years and government budgets are stretched to the limit.

The article focuses on the Senate voting where U.S. Senate President Barack Obama succeeded 93.1% of the time in terms of policy votes. Topics discussed include a review of leading scorers for presidential support and how often a senator supports the position of a president from the same party, the partisanship of every Democrat in the Senate in 2014 and plans of Senate majority leader Republican Mitch McConnell to allow more votes on policy issues that will potentially mix up voting patterns.

The article presents a guide to various U.S. Congress legislative committees in 2015. Topics discussed include jurisdiction of the House Panel on Agriculture on seed adulteration and pest control and the revenue appropriation presided by the House of Appropriations, Interstate commerce presided by the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation panel and the national energy policy oversight of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources.

The article discusses the implications of the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court on King v. Burwell, that challenges the phrase, an exchange established by the state, in section 36(B) of Affordable Care Act (ACA). Topics discussed include decision in favor of plaintiffs will result in millions of Americans losing their health insurance, Supreme Court to decide if intent of Congress is clear based on the law text, and focus on Chief Justice John G. Roberts Junior and Justice Anthony M. Kennedy.

The article discusses developments in the political consulting industry in the U.S. as of February 2015. According to organization Take Back Our Republic chairperson Mark McKinnon, political spending has exponentially increased and there is no oversight. Members of the American Association of Political Consultants, however, signed a code of ethics banning the misspending of client funds. The comment by Sheila Krumholz of the Center for Responsive Politics on the topic is also cited.

The article features the members of the 114th U.S. Congress. In the U.S. Senate, the new senators include Republicans Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Cory Gardner of Colorado, and David Perdue of Georgia. In the House of Representatives, the neophyte representatives include Democrat Ruben Gallego of Arizona, Republican Gary Palmer of Alabama, and Republican Bruce Westerman of Arkansas.

The article discusses the possibility of deteriorating relations between the U.S. and Russia affecting collaboration and cooperation among the eight Arctic countries that include Denmark, Finland and Iceland, and deficiencies in Arctic policy of the U.S. Topics discussed include growing military presence of Russia in the Arctic, wait-and-see approach of the U.S. on Arctic region, and fiscal 2015 defense spending bill requiring Defense Department to provide plans for icebreaker ships purchase. INSET: Population Advantage.

The article looks at the status of the U.S. Army as of July 2015. Topics discussed include the 41.1 billion dollar budget for Army personnel in 2015, the projected decline of Army personnel to 450,000 by 2018, and the view that the Army can achieve more by fielding a downsized but effective fighting force. Also noted are the debate on the Army's optimum size and the Army's need of government support to be able to reorganize and provide more capability.

The article discusses the efforts made by midsize Internet companies as Kickstarter, Meetup and Tumblr to convince the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to adopt net neutrality rules barring Internet service providers from charging customers more for faster service. Topics discussed include views of Internet lawyer Marvin Ammori on this, comments made by comedian John Oliver on FCC, and money spend by technology company Google on lobbying.

The article discusses the need to establish laws and legislation to strengthen the overall finances of the Social Security Disability Insurance Trust Fund, which is most likely to be insolvent by 2016, causing a 19 percent reduction in disability benefits. Topics discussed include remarks of U.S Senator Mike Simpson, graphs representing the rise in payment to beneficiaries and impact of population aging and increased retirement age on the increasing cost of social security program.

The article features cardiologist Robert Califf who is being considered a candidate for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner by former U.S. President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama. Topics discussed include his present role in leading oversight efforts over drugs, biologics and radiological health, concerns over Califf's connection and relationship with the pharmaceutical industry and Califf's advocacy for doing things better, faster and cheaper.

The article discusses the political developments concerning federal judicial appointments in the U.S. as of February 2015. According to Cato Institute's Center for Constitutional Studies' Roger Pilon, the team of U.S. President Barack Obama should negotiate with the Republican majority in the Senate to ensure that Obama's nominees will be confirmed. It cites as example the 2012 case in Georgia, in which Obama's nominee Jill Pryor was blocked by state Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson.

The article presents dynamic scoring, a technique that will be incorporated in the 114th Congress to estimate the impact of legislation on the economy. Topics discussed include its impact on the comprehensive tax overhaul and entitlement programs, the allegations of Democrats pertaining to rigging the budget scoring and cost-estimation rules, the limited nature of the rules change, and the concept of dynamic scoring in comparison with current cost estimates for tax or spending proposals. INSET: Elmendorf to Stay at CBO While Republicans Ponder.

The article reports political developments in the U.S. as of November 2014, particularly the incoming 114th Congress. It claims that despite their expanded majority in the House of Representatives, Speaker John A. Boehner will face problems with conservatives in his party. It claims that despite their majority in Congress, the Republicans should compromise with Democrats as their leader, U.S. President Barack Obama, still has veto power.

This article relates that a number of Republicans are strategizing over how to employ the arcane mechanism of budget reconciliation in anticipation of controlling both the House of Representatives and the Senate after the 2014 U.S. midterm elections. Topics discussed include the main purpose of reconciliation including allowing the Republicans to advance budget-related legislation with a simple majority vote. Mentioned also is how the House and the Senate could make reconciliation possible. INSETS: Reconcilliation 101;Health Care Law Is a Prime Target.

The article features David M. McIntosh, president of the free-market club known as the Club for Growth. Topics discussed include the priority of McIntosh to defend the conservative incumbents, such as U.S. Senators Ron Johnson and Patrick J. Toomey, the education gained by McIntosh at the University of Chicago Law School, and the role played by McIntosh in rallying for the semi-annual conservative leadership summit.

An interview with Kevin Ring, the former colleague of convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, is presented. Topics discussed include his appointment as director of strategic initiatives at Families Against Mandatory Minimums, his experience as a Republican aide and as a K Street lobbyist, and his efforts to implement changes in mandatory sentences in the U.S.

The article reports on the history of anti-satellite weapons and developments in the field as of May 2015. Topics include the U.S. as the first country to develop an anti-satellite system, the rivalry between the Russians and Americans in terms of anti-satellite capabilities, and anti-satellite weapons being developed by China and other nations.

The article focuses on taxation of overseas profits as part of a tax code review. Republicans and Democrats will be making difficult choices to support the international tax structures they envision. It is said that a revision of tax rules exclusively for multinational corporations is considered likely. International taxation is reportedly a complex issue lawmakers face as a change to the international system affects other countries and results in wide-ranging, unintended consequences.

The article reports that the chances that Congress will solve in the coming months tax policy issues which have been decades in the making are small. However, the work of examining the structure of taxation this Congress does will be the foundation for an ambitious future overhaul. House Ways and Means Chairman Paul D. Ryan says Pres. Barack Obama does not like to lower rates across the board for individuals and families as what happened in the last full restructuring of the tax code in 1986.

The article reports on the differences existing between the Republican and the Democratic Parties over how to revise the tax code for individual Americans. The White House aims to generate 638 billion US Dollars for deficit reduction by raising taxes on the wealthy. Republicans claim that the present structure for taxing individuals is progressive. Tax policy however has failed to keep the gap between rich and poor from expanding through the years.

The article discusses the need to overhaul business taxation and examine the issues involved in revising a complicated tax code. It states that the code treats pass-through businesses more favorably than corporations and biases corporations toward debt financing instead of equity financing. The tax code taxes companies in different industries at different levels.

The article reports that Senate Judiciary Committee chairman, Iowa Republican Charles E. Grassley is ready to look for common ground with the supporters of the bipartisan Smarter Sentencing Act (S1410) which the administration of President Barack Obama backs. Grassley is opposed to reducing mandatory minimum prison sentences as contained in the Smarter Sentencing Act proposed by Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah and Senate Minority Whip Richard J. Durbin of Illinois.

The article discusses the challenge for Keith Hall to prove his credibility as director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). A brief information on his profile and qualifications are also presented. Topics discussed include the handling of the dynamic scoring method, an analysis of economy size and tax collections that might result to the formation of new laws, which would impact the legacy of Hall to the CBO. It also discusses the free-market orientation of Hall.

The article reports on how the Republican Party in the U.S. is preparing for the 2016 election. Topics discussed include a budget proposal that aims to fund important services and efforts to prevent internal conflicts that paralyze the party. Repeal of the 2010 health care law, the repeal of the Jones Act of 1920, and the extension of temporary tax breaks are also mentioned.

This article reports that U.S. lawmakers will return to Washington on November 12, 2014 after the mid-term elections to hold a so-called lame duck session. Topics discussed include the past U.S. Congresses which held lame duck sessions on various years including the 76th Congress (1940), the 91st Congress (1970) and the 110th Congress (2008). Mentioned also are the post-election accomplishments of these congresses and the party in control in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

A correction to an article on topic related to Commerce-Justice-Science appropriations in the U.S. Federal Communications Commission bill, that was published in the November 9, 2015 issue is presented.

The article present views of business advocate Juanita Duggan on her role in National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). Topics discussed include development in small businesses of American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA), changes to NFIB's tax code, health care law and environmental policies and views of AAFA's chairman Rick Helfenbein on legislative wins in trade of apparel and footwear under Duggan leadership.

The article focuses on the "Truth In Tuition" which is the Public Act 93-0228 Undergraduate Tuition Policy of Illinois. It mentions that the Northern Illinois University provides eligible undergraduate students a fixed tuition rate for a time period of four continuous academic years beginning with the student's initial term of enrollment. It notes the argument of the Illinois Board of Higher Education and state college presidents regarding the law.

The article reports on the confirmation of Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White that there will be no Christmas lights on the Illinois Capitol in 2015.

The article presents author's views regarding the finance of the U.S. presidential election campaign, the U.S. political parties and their established leaders. Topics discussed include candidature of businessman, Donald Trump for the U.S. presidential elections in 2016, relaxing curbs on contribution limits and on state parties endorsed by the Brennan Center for Justice and empowerment of the parties with fresh fundraising tools.

The article focuses on drone warfare and the issues surrounding it in the U.S. Topics discussed include the increasing frequency of the U.S. and other countries in using unmanned, armed drones to target suspected militants, the issue of the opaque U.S. program which leaves no avenue for relatives of civilians killed in the strike, and why it is unlikely that there will be an international conference where countries sit down and discuss the drone equivalent of the Geneva Conventions.

The article discusses initiatives by political spending disclosure advocates like the nonpartisan legal institute Campaign Legal Center urging the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to strengthen its disclosure process and enforce existing rules. Topics include the Supreme Court's 2010 ruling on Citizens United v. FCC, the alleged failure of the FCC to curb non-disclosing groups, and FCC rules requiring television broadcasters to post online information on political advertisements.

The article discusses the rivalry between banks and credit unions in the U.S. financial regulatory landscape, with new rules from the National Credit Union Administration highlighting the conflict due to the nature of credit unions as mostly tax-exempt nonprofit cooperatives while banks pay taxes.

The article reports on the plans of the U.S. Postal Service (UPS) to help revive the UPS. Topics discussed include the net loss faced by UPS in fiscal 2014, support of Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts for expanded postal financial services, and views of U.S. House Oversight Committee chairman Darrell Issa of California on the issue. It also offers information on postal banking and postal management.

The article reports on an amendment proposed by U.S Armed Services Chairman John McCain to the 2016 U.S. defense authorization bill (HR 1735), which will prohibit the U.S. Defense Department from entering sports marketing contracts.

The article profiles Kathleen Merrigan, executive director of sustainability at George Washington University and co-chairwoman of AGree, a group aiming to provide nutritious, affordable and safe food for all. Merrigan has a Ph.D. in environmental planning and policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Her political career began as an intern for Senator Edward M. Kennedy in 1981. She worked for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1998 for eight years.

The article announces that Hawaii small business owner Kainoa Penaroza is named chief of staff of Hawaii Democratic Representative Tulsi Gabbard.

The article discusses how presidential hopefuls like Ted Cruz, Rand Paul and Marco Rubio are skirting the Federal Election Commission (FEC) rules requiring candidates testing the waters to observe strict contribution limits. Topics discussed how they bending the rules since they have not yet officially declared their candidacies although hopefuls Senators Lindsey Graman and Jim Webb have set up traditional testing the waters committees that capped donations at 2,700 U.S. dollars.