George Zornick

Obama Names New FHFA Director

George Zornick on May 1, 2013 - 12:18 PM ET

Representative Mel Watt (D-NC) addresses the Democratic National Convention in 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite.)

This afternoon President Obama will introduce his choice to head the Federal Housing Finance Agency—Representative Mel Watt from North Carolina, a twenty-year veteran of Congress and member of the powerful House Financial Services Committee.

Senate to Investigate Texas Plant Explosion

George Zornick on April 30, 2013 - 4:12 PM ET

Firefighters conduct search and rescue at the scene of the fertilizer plan explosion in West, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero.)

A torrent of troubling information about the massive explosion in West, Texas has emerged since April 19—it’s becoming increasingly clear that the federal regulatory structure failed on multiple fronts when it came to the West Fertilizer Company plant.

House GOP Plans Even Deeper Food Stamp Cuts

George Zornick on April 29, 2013 - 3:24 PM ET

Volunteers fill bags for a school lunch program at the Cleveland Foodbank. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta.)

Lost in the shuffle of last year’s big fiscal cliff deal was the deal that didn’t happen on a new farm bill.

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Live Updates on the Boston Marathon Bombing

George Zornick and Annie Shields on April 19, 2013 - 12:20 PM ET

Shame on the Senate: Gun Control Is Dead, For Now

George Zornick on April 17, 2013 - 4:57 PM ET

Senator Ted Cruz points to a photo of a Remington rifle during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on gun control. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite.)

Among so many depressing days in Washington, Wednesday is surely one for the ages.

Gun Control Package Nears the Tipping Point

George Zornick on April 16, 2013 - 1:26 PM ET

Senators in favor of gun control have rolled back their proposals, but they still don't have enough votes. (AP Photo/Ricardo Moraes.)

So here’s the state of play on the gun control package, which has been subject to intense internal debate in Washington as most of the nation focuses its attention on the horrible bomb attack in Boston: A decent bill still exists, but is being weakened almost literally by the hour.

Why Obama’s Chained-CPI 'Protections' Aren’t Good Enough

George Zornick on April 15, 2013 - 2:14 PM ET

New proposals would restore some benefits for older retirees, but still represent an overall cut. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke).

The Chained-CPI provisions in President Obama’s budget proposal come with an ostensible sweetener: extra protections for the very elderly and poor, along with veterans.

Congress Weakens a Key Transparency Bill—Obama Prepared to Sign

George Zornick on April 12, 2013 - 4:14 PM ET

The STOCK Act was drafted after 60 Minutes revealed that Senator Spencer Bachus bought stock options to benefit from Wall Street's coming collapse on the basis of a secret briefing. (Reuters/Gary Cameron.)

A busy day in Washington, in which the Senate began debate on a gun control package and Republicans in the House unanimously voted down the Paycheck Fairness Act, was ending sleepily late Thursday afternoon.

Top 5 Myths About Chained-CPI, Debunked

George Zornick on April 11, 2013 - 2:30 PM ET

The president's budget proposal includes the expected Chained-CPI cut. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta).

President Obama released his proposed 2014 budget Wednesday morning, and it included a hugely controversial provision: a switch to a Chained-CPI formula for calculating inflation.

Here Comes the Gun Bill: What’s In It?

George Zornick on April 9, 2013 - 6:49 PM ET

Harry Reid is beginning debate on a gun control package that would create universal background checks. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh).

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced Tuesday afternoon he would file for cloture on a comprehensive gun control package that would create universal background checks, dramatically stiffen penalties for straw purchases and gun trafficking, and fund improvements in school safety.