Shutdown Undermining Security | Topic A

With fewer eyeballs monitoring the government’s networks for malicious activities and an increasing number of federal systems sitting idle during the shutdown,” the Federal Times notes that “security experts fear it could create a perfect storm for insiders and hackers looking to do agencies harm.”

• More From Topic A: Defense

For Ambitious Montana Politicians, the Time Is Now

This cycle presents incredible opportunities for Big Sky Country pols with congressional aspirations.

D.C. Mayor Photobombs Senate Democrats' Poorly Conceived Photo-Op

Senate Democrats decided they wanted to send a message to Republicans Wednesday by standing on the Capitol steps and demanding the government be re-opened. Which would have been fine, except apparently no one staffing the senators thought to check the schedule, and missed the fact that Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., and D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton had planned a “Free D.C.” rally just yards away.

Hourly Mandate Prompts a Full-Time Work Debate

For opponents of the 2010 health care law, this has become one of the most popular talking points: The mandates on business will force Americans out of full-time jobs and into part-time work.

• Finding Employment Data Has Turned Into Work

Don’t Dismiss Bicameral Working Group Out of Hand | Procedural Politics

House Rules Committee Chairman Pete Sessions, R-Texas, surprised even his own party caucus colleagues Tuesday by introducing a bill to create a Bicameral Working Group on Deficit Reduction and Economic Growth, then calling it up in his committee an hour later.

Tim Griffin's Son Tests Old Adage: Vote Early, Vote Often

John Griffin may be the youngest person to ever vote in the U.S. House of Representatives.

EMILY's List Backs Two More House Candidates

EMILY’s List, a group that boosts female Democratic candidates who support abortion rights, has endorsed two candidates in competitive House races in Maine and California.

Cured DC Founder Works to Stuff Minds With Meat

“Is everybody getting their hands on some meat?” Chris Johnson asks the wine- and beer-sipping participants huddled into Union Kitchen’s frenetic cold prep area for his debut charcuterie -making class.

Koch Industries: We’re Not Behind Obamacare Defunding

In a letter to senators Wednesday, Koch Industries Inc. denied it was behind the GOP push to link defunding of the Affordable Care Act to funding for the government.

Vulnerable Democrats Laugh Off GOP's Shutdown Campaign Attacks

Senate Republicans believe the silver lining of the government shutdown will be linking moderate Democrats up for re-election in 2014 to the more liberal leaders sticking them with politically unsavory votes.

• Manchin Shows First Crack in Democratic Front on Debt Limit

New York Republican Won't Challenge Dan Maffei

Onondaga County Comptroller Robert Antonacci will not challenge Rep. Dan Maffei, D-N.Y., in the 24th District in 2014.

Republicans Say Obama Underestimates Their Resolve as Debt Default Nears

If you thought Republicans weren’t serious about a debt default, think again.

Heritage Action Supports Debt Limit Hike

Heritage Action for America CEO Michael Needham told reporters Wednesday morning that Republicans should raise the debt ceiling but keep the continuing resolution fight focused on dismantling Obamacare.

Vulnerable House Democrat Raises $189K in Third Quarter

Rep. Mike McIntyre, one of the most vulnerable House incumbents, raised $189,000 in the third quarter of 2013, according to his most recent fundraising report.

Former Sen. Rod Grams Dies at 65

Former Minnesota Sen. Rod Grams, a Republican who served one term each in both the House and Senate, has died of cancer. He was 65.

Senate Might Review Law that Forces Federal Furloughs

As the government shutdown moves into its second week, senators are turning their attention to a law that blocks furloughed federal employees from even checking their government email accounts.

• Back Pay for Furloughed Workers Hits Snag in Senate

What's in a Name? Plenty of Super-Bad Memories on Both Sides (Video)

Legislation is enacted empowering an equal number of Republicans and Democrats, senators and House members to set to work on a hurry-up timetable in search of a way out of a thick budgetary morass that has brought the country near the brink of default.

• Lawmakers Have Low Expectations for New Supercommittee
• Obama Pans GOP Supercommittee Idea
• GOP Proposes New Supercommittee to Resolve Impasse

Court's Conservatives Maintain Skepticism of Campaign Money Limits

The Supreme Court’s conservative majority Tuesday signaled that it remains strongly suspicious of campaign finance limits and may be poised to deregulate elections even further.

• McCutcheon Super PAC Already Busts Limits

Gay Republican Challenges Carol Shea-Porter

University of New Hampshire Dean of Business and Economics Dan Innis announced Wednesday that he will run for the GOP nomination for New Hampshire’s 1st District, a top House target for Republicans in 2014.

Senate Democrats Push to Suspend Debt Limit Until 2015

Senate Democrats are proposing to suspend the federal debt limit until the end of 2014, Finance Chairman Max Baucus explained Tuesday.

Pennsylvania House District Falls Out of Competitive Ranks for Now | Rothenblog

It only took three years for Pennsylvania’s 12th District to go from a safe Democratic seat to a safe Republican seat.