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Nation Topics - Senate

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Chuck Hagel

Why did war hero Chuck Hagel get blocked, while Wall Street crony Jack Lew sailed through?

Senate Dems should restore the practice to its proper function: as a tool for public dissent, rather than unchecked, covert obstruction.

The Wisconsin senate candidate rejects the idea of corporate personhood.

Sherrod Brown

Senator Sherrod Brown has been a leader in taking on the big banks, and now the Chamber of Commerce is retaliating.

A famous indictment from a century ago aptly describes today’s corrupt legislative body.

The senator's ideological shape-shifting has fallen out of favor.

Could the Senate start getting things done, if only legislators didn't have to face filibuster threats? This week on The Breakdown: the history of the filibuster, and how to get rid of it.

This session, the Senate has a chance to fix the filibuster—a reform we've been championing for years. Read our coverage by Christopher Hayes, Thomas Geoghegan, Senator Tom Harkin and William Greider.

Rod Blagojevich's trial verdict showed that the line between criminal corruption and the base line corruption continues to blur.

Blogs

The National Rifle Association is trying to block Elena Kagan's nomination. But it is failing, badly.

August 4, 2010

National Organization for Women says it is time for the Louisiana senator—a patron of prostitutes and employer of an abusive aide—to go.

July 6, 2010

Inside the battle for healthcare reform. Plus: Two must-see videos and a special honor for The Nation.

July 2, 2010

When Republican senators try to block a Supreme Court nominee by attacking Thurgood Marshall and the powerless, it's a pretty good bet that she'll be confirmed. 

June 28, 2010

The arguments against poorly-structured sanctions against Iran were that they would undermine democracy movements, stir anti-U.S. sentiment and do nothing to promote disarmament. Unfortunately, most members of Congress refused to listen. Only 8 wise members voted "no."

June 27, 2010

After Elena Kagan's first "interview" hits some turbulence, it's clear that ideological hearings would be good for her and the country.

May 13, 2010

The headlines announcing Indiana Senator Evan Bayh's surprise decision to retire after his current term declare that the loss of this particular incumbent represents "a huge blow to Democrats." While it is true that the Democrats might lose the Indiana seat this fall, the loss of Bayh is not a huge blow. In fact, Bayh was part of the problem for Senate Democrats, not the solution.

February 15, 2010

Those of us paid to observe Congress have spent the last two weeks watching, with mouth agape, as congressional Democrats slowly raised a loaded gun to their collective mouths and volubly considered pulling the trigger. But sanity has, tentatively, provisionally prevailed.

January 27, 2010

Whoever scheduled the special election for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the death of Edward Kennedy on January 19 did Barack Obama no favors.

January 19, 2010

Here are six scenarios for today's special election for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the death of Edward Kennedy.

January 19, 2010