Four Words That Imperil Health Care Law Were All a Mistake, Writers Now Say  —  WASHINGTON — They are only four words in a 900-page law: “established by the state.”  —  But it is in the ambiguity of those four words in the Affordable Care Act that opponents found a path to challenge the law, all the way to the Supreme Court.

10 questions with Bernie Sanders  —  Bernie Sanders questions morality of US economy  —  Democratic Presidential Candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders talks with CNBC's John Harwood about his views on income inequality, Hillary Clinton and whether he stands a chance of winning.

George Pataki to announce presidential bid Thursday  —  Former New York Governor George Pataki  —  WASHINGTON - Ignoring the polls and pundits, former New York Gov. George Pataki plans to announce Thursday that he's joining the crowded Republican field for president.

Maryland's ‘free range’ parents cleared of neglect in one case  —  A Maryland couple investigated for neglect after they let their two young children walk home alone from local parks have been cleared in one of two such cases, according to the family's attorneys and documents.

With ISIS in Cross Hairs, U.S. Holds Back to Protect Civilians  —  WASHINGTON — American intelligence analysts have identified seven buildings in downtown Raqqa in eastern Syria as the main headquarters of the Islamic State.  But the buildings have gone untouched during the 10-month allied air campaign.

Reflections on My Recent Trip to Israel … But I never expected to have the opportunity to stand at the top of the Mount of Olives myself or to walk where Jesus walked in Jerusalem.  —  Earlier this month, I was blessed to have such an opportunity, to visit Israel and to marvel at the sites …

Cochran marries longtime aide Kay Webber  —  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran married his longtime aide Kay Webber in a private family ceremony in Gulfport on Saturday, according to a one-sentence statement released by his office Monday.  —  Cochran's relationship with Webber became the topic …

Republicans grope for Obamacare replacement  —  An upcoming Supreme Court verdict complicates matters.  —  iStock  —  Preparing for a Supreme Court decision that could strike down Obamacare's subsidies for nearly 7.5 million people this summer, Senate Republicans are coalescing around …

U.S. travel to Cuba booming after Obama switch  —  U.S. travel to Cuba is booming, despite an official ban on tourist travel.  —  The number of Americans visiting Cuba has risen dramatically — 36 percent — in the first few months of 2015, including a big jump among those flying …

Mary Landrieu takes job at Washington lobbying firm  —  WASHINGTON — Former Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., is joining the Washington lobbying firm Van Ness Feldman, the firm will announce later Tuesday (May 26).  —  Landrieu said she will join Van Ness Feldman as a senior policy advisor …

The Koch brothers try to rein in the GOP presidential clown show  —  If you're a Republican primary voter, you're probably feeling pretty good about the presidential primaries.  Even if you haven't yet found the candidate who will make you swoon, one thing you've got is choices.

Obama Torpedoes the Nuclear Navy  —  The president disregards a policy that for decades has ensured effective leadership of the nuclear fleet.  —  President Obama, possibly unaware of the implications, has made a mistake by nominating Adm. John Richardson as the new chief of naval operations.

29 Shootings, 9 Fatal, Over Memorial Day Weekend In Baltimore  —  BALTIMORE (WJZ)-It's been a violent weekend in Baltimore after a surge of shootings-some deadly across the city.  —  Amy Yensi has more.  —  Police say 29 people were shot, 9 of them killed over this weekend, adding to the record-breaking violence.

When Family-Friendly Policies Backfire  —  In Chile, a law requires employers to provide working mothers with child care.  One result?  Women are paid less.  —  In Spain, a policy to give parents of young children the right to work part-time has led to a decline in full-time …

Media CEOs dominate ranks of top-paid executives  —  7 photos  —  NEW YORK (AP) — They're not Hollywood stars, they're not TV personalities and they don't play in a rock band, but their pay packages are in the same league.  —  Six of the 10 highest-paid CEOs last year worked in the media industry …

4 dead after record storms in Texas, Oklahoma; 12 missing in one county  —  Story highlights … (CNN)Record-setting rains left officials in Texas and Oklahoma scrambling to assess the scope of the damage and destruction Monday as an emergency coordinator told reporters that a dozen people were missing in one county.

Rand Paul: I'm not being unreasonable  —  Sen. Rand Paul says he does not think he is being unreasonable in his stand against government surveillance practices.  —  “I'm just asking for two amendments and a simple majority vote” on ending the National Security Agency's bulk data collection …

Clinton Foundation Donors Got Weapons Deals From Hillary Clinton's State Department  —  Even by the standards of arms deals between the United States and Saudi Arabia, this one was enormous.  A consortium of American defense contractors led by Boeing would deliver $29 billion worth …

Post reporter's ‘espionage’ trial begins behind closed doors in Iran  —  Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian went to trial Tuesday on espionage charges in a closed-door session held more than 10 months after he was detained, Iran's official news agency reported.