Behind the scenes of a GOP meltdown  —  Things were so bad for Speaker John Boehner Thursday night, support for his Plan B tax bill so diminished, the limits of his power with his own party laid bare, that he stood in front of the House Republican Conference and recited the Serenity Prayer.

Playing Taxes Hold 'Em  —  A few years back, there was a boom in poker television — shows in which you got to watch the betting and bluffing of expert card players.  Since then, however, viewers seem to have lost interest.  But I have a suggestion: Instead of featuring poker experts …

Will Boehner's speakership survive until Plan C?  —  Has there been a House speaker in modern American history with less control over his members than John Boehner?  —  Sad trombone.  (Charles Dharapak / AP)  —  Over the past three days, Boehner has focused all attention on “Plan B” …

The Failure of Last Night's “Plan B” Vote Makes a Fiscal Cliff Deal More Likely  —  WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 20: Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) leaves a meeting with House Republicans, on Capitol Hill, December 20, 2012 in Washington, DC.  —  Drew Angerer/Getty Images

N.R.A. Calls for Armed Guards in Schools to Deter Violence  —  WASHINGTON — The National Rifle Association on Friday called for schools to be protected by armed guards as the best way to protect children from gun violence.  —  The group, long the most vocal and influential organization …

EXCLUSIVE: Top Republican Senator will oppose Hagel nomination  —  Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.), the Republican whip, told me in a phone interview this morning he would oppose the nomination of Chuck Hagel as secretary of defense: “I can't support a Hagel nomination if it comes,” he said.

Chuck Hagel Is Criticized Over Gay Rights Record  —  WASHINGTON — Chuck Hagel, the former Nebraska senator on President Obama's short list for defense secretary, came under fire again on Thursday, this time for his record on gay rights and remarks he made 14 years ago about an openly gay nominee for a diplomatic post.