Out of ideas, House GOP considers Hail Mary  —  BELTWAY CONFIDENTIAL CONGRESS BARACK OBAMA OBAMACARE PAUL RYAN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REPUBLICAN PARTY HARRY REID JOHN BOEHNER DAVE CAMP GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN  —  As the partial government shutdown enters its third day, many House Republicans …

Fiscal Crisis Continuing Coverage of the Budget Debates  —  Republicans Say Boehner Has Offered Assurances on Default  —  WASHINGTON — With a budget deal still elusive and a deadline approaching on raising the debt ceiling, Speaker John A. Boehner has told colleagues that he is determined …

GOP Donors Revolt Against Republican-Led Government Shutdown  —  It's not just Democrats who are angry at the Tea Party-led shutdown.  Republican donors are furious their party has managed to ‘grab defeat from the jaws of victory’ on Obamacare—and some are withholding funds, reports David Freedlander.

GOP aides: Boehner tells colleagues he will avoid a default on federal debt  —  House Speaker John A. Boehner, apparently sharing Obama administration alarm about a possible debt default, has told colleagues he will act to raise the federal debt limit even if he has to rely on the votes of House Democrats, GOP aides said Thursday.

Capitol lockdown lifted after shots fired  —  The U.S. Capitol and adjacent buildings were locked down Thursday afternoon, after multiple gun shots were fired on Capitol Hill.  —  Capitol Police have advised House and Senate employees to “shelter in place” and move away from and lock doors and windows.

House Republican reports being assaulted outside the Capitol  —  Rep. Sean Duffy (R-Wis.) reported being the victim of a minor assault outside the Capitol on Wednesday night.  —  The congressman told Capitol Police he was walking from his Longworth office building for votes when …

U.S. Capitol placed on lockdown  —  The United States Capitol was placed on lockdown Thursday afternoon following reports of shots fired in the vicinity of the chamber.  At least one Capitol Police officer was injured.  —  The FBI was responding to the unconfirmed reports of shots, and a helicopter landed in front of the Capitol.

Congressman Confronts Park Ranger Over Closed WWII Memorial  —  Conflict over the responsibility for the government shutdown got personal at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. Wednesday when a member of Congress confronted a U.S. Park Service Ranger over access to the closed park land.

McConnell, Rand Paul Caught On Hot Mic Talking Shutdown Strategy (VIDEO)  —  Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) were caught on a hot mic Wednesday night while discussing their party's messaging on the government shutdown.