The Democrats' naked power grab  —  “Congress is broken,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Thursday before holding a party-line vote that disposed of rules that have guided and protected the chamber since 1789.  —  If Congress wasn't broken before, it certainly is now.

Obama approval rating sinks to new low in CNN poll  —  Washington (CNN) - As President Barack Obama's approval rating hits another all-time low, a new national survey also indicates that Americans say the President has less power than congressional Republicans when it comes to shaping events over the next year.

Health Law Is Dividing Republican Governors  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Republicans are planning to use the troubled health law against Democrats in next year's midterm elections, but the Affordable Care Act is increasingly dividing their party, too.  —  At the annual meeting …

Older hill aides shocked by Obamacare prices  —  Veteran House Democratic aides are sick over the insurance prices they'll pay under Obamacare, and they're scrambling to find a cure.  —  “In a shock to the system, the older staff in my office (folks over 59) have now found …

Key part of HeathCare.gov passed test, but Anonymous Shopper shelved anyway  —  Washington (CNN) — When the troubled federal health care website came online, the key “Anonymous Shopper” function was nowhere to be found — even though it passed a key test almost two weeks before HealthCare.gov launched.

House panel approves spying bill, targets leaks  —  The House Intelligence Committee approved legislation Thursday to re-authorize the National Security Agency and other intelligence agencies.  —  The bill includes an additional $75 million to combat insider threats following the leaks …

Insurers to Get Extra Month to Set 2015 Obamacare Rates  —  The Obama administration plans to push back by a month the second-year start of enrollment in its health program to give insurers more time to adjust to growing pains in the U.S. law, a move that may stave off higher premiums before the 2014 congressional elections.

Expanding Social Security  —  For many years there has been one overwhelming rule for people who wanted to be considered serious inside the Beltway.  It was this: You must declare your willingness to cut Social Security in the name of “entitlement reform.”  It wasn't really about the numbers …

My Attempt to Sign Up For Health Care … Earlier this afternoon, I sat down to try and enroll in the DC exchange under the president's health care law:  —  Like many Americans, my experience was pretty frustrating.  After putting in my personal information, I received an error message.

Obama holds off-record meeting with MSNBC hosts, liberal pundits  —  President Obama held an off-the-record meeting with MSNBC hosts and liberal pundits on Thursday, POLITICO has learned.  —  Present at the meeting: MSNBC's Ed Schultz and Lawrence O'Donnell, Washington Post economics blogger Ezra Klein …