McConnell: Tax issue ‘finished completely,’ focus now on spending  —  Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Sunday said Republicans will demand steep spending cuts during the next round of budget negotiations.  —  McConnell, in an interview with ABC's “This Week,” …

Sen. Graham blasts Hagel pick as an ‘in your face nomination’ from Obama  —  Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Sunday expressed dismay at reports President Obama would tap former Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) for Secretary of Defense, calling it an “in your face” selection.  —  “I like Chuck Hagel.

Top Conservative Radio Figure Calls For “Nationalist” Third Party  —  Uniting the Tea Party.  “Who's the King David?”  —  Michael Savage.  —  Image by John Storey / AP  —  The conservative radio host Michael Savage Sunday called for a third, “nationalist” American political party …

Welfare recipients take out cash at strip clubs, liquor stores and X-rated shops  —  They're on the dole — and watching the pole.  —  Welfare recipients took out cash at bars, liquor stores, X-rated video shops, hookah parlors and even strip clubs — where they presumably spent …

New Republican Senator Says Gun Safety Is ‘Unconstitutional’  —  Newly-elected Sen. Ted Cruiz (R-TX) accused politicians of exploiting the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut to advance gun safety legislation and argued that efforts to limit assault weapons and high capacity magazines are unconstitutional.

Social Security: It's Worse Than You Think  —  CONGRESS and President Obama have pushed through a relatively modest stopgap measure to avoid the “fiscal cliff,” but over the coming years, the United States will confront another huge cliff: Social Security.  —  In the first presidential debate …

Sen. Heidi Heitkamp: Reported Obama Gun Proposals ‘Way in Extreme’  —  Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D, told me this morning on “This Week” that while all options should be on the table to address gun violence, President Obama's reported plans to curb shootings are “way in extreme” …

Health Insurers Raise Some Rates by Double Digits  —  Health insurance companies across the country are seeking and winning double-digit increases in premiums for some customers, even though one of the biggest objectives of the Obama administration's health care law was to stem the rapid rise in insurance costs for consumers.

Breaking Down The Deal That Ended The National Hockey League Lockout  —  The National Hockey League and its Players Association agreed on the framework of a new collective bargaining agreement early this morning, and while league owners and players must still ratify it, the deal …

Barack Obama readies for host of reforms on Washington return  —  Immigration and gun control at top of agenda as US president looks to make a mark with second term  —  Barack Obama has returned to Washington intent on pushing through a host of reforms in his second term, with a focus on immigration and gun control.