Republican offers Dream option for illegals

Wading directly into the thorny immigration debate, a key House Republican on Wednesday introduced the GOP's first version of the Dream Act in this Congress in a bill that would give a select group of high-achieving illegal immigrants the chance to become U.S. citizens.

China steals $114 million U.S. defense deal with Peru

Trade between China and Peru, a key U.S. ally in the regional drug war, is at a new high. Now the Chinese defense industry is getting in on the action.

Security tighter than ever for power players

Chantilly's Westfields Marriott hotel is the site of an "unprecedented" security crackdown as the world's richest and most powerful arrive for the annual Bilderberg conference.

Cookout aims to tip scales against snakehead in Maryland

If Maryland has its way, an invasive enemy could become a nontraditional entree.

House orders solid base line on border

When the Obama administration scrapped the old definition for measuring border security two years ago, it left the government without any way of measuring how much of the U.S.-Mexico border is under operational control.

Picture this: Obama to host Bush, the man he scorns

When President Obama hosts former President George W. Bush at the White House on Thursday to unveil his predecessor's official portrait, he'll pay tribute to the man he has blamed lately for everything short of an outbreak of the flesh-eating virus.

Nationals' Ramos gives 13-year-old friend the gift of love

Ryan Zimmerman could tell. From Wilson Ramos' tone when he asked to speak with the Washington Nationals' third baseman, the way he retrieved his phone to find the text message that said, in English, exactly what Ramos wanted to get across that day in spring training. This was important.

Obama signs reauthorization of Export-Import Bank despite earlier opposition

President Obama on Wednesday signed a reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank that would raise its lending authority 40 percent to $140 billion by 2014 and pressed Congress to pass a list of other top White House priorities aimed at creating jobs and boosting the economy.

Entertainer's fee OK if service billed as speech

The well-publicized hiring by the General Services Administration (GSA) of a mind reader at a lavish Las Vegas conference may not have been improper after all.

Obama congratulates Romney

In a rare moment of comity, President Obama called Mitt Romney on Wednesday to congratulate him on securing the Republican presidential nomination even as his campaign was launching a new line of attack against Mr. Romney's record as governor of Massachusetts.

Inside the Beltway: True North

After three decades of searching, Oliver North at last gets the ceremonial sword he received upon his graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1968.

McDuffie takes D.C. Council seat amid several ovations

Kenyan McDuffie had taken only a few steps into the D.C. Council chamber on Wednesday when a standing-room-only crowd applauded and cheered wildly for the newly elected lawmaker.

Defense official: Sequester would create 'adsurdities'

The Pentagon's No. 2 official said Wednesday that automatic spending cuts set to being in January would create "absurdities" and devastate the defense industries that support the troops.

Football, like politics, is a red-state/blue-state thing

Is football the newest front in America's culture wars? Rush Limbaugh seems to think so.

First lady will sponsor Navy submarine

The White House announced this week that first lady Michelle Obama will serve as a sponsor for the USS Illinois, a Virginia-class submarine named after her home state.

Pope breaks silence over 'Vatileaks' scandal

Pope Benedict XVI broke his silence Wednesday over the leaked-documents scandal that has convulsed the Vatican, saying he was saddened by the betrayal but grateful to those aides who work faithfully and silently to help him do his job.

Commentary

PATTERSON: June can't come soon enough

June is shaping up to be a pivotal month for American liberty. On one front, the Supreme Court is expected in June to hand down its decision on the constitutionality of Obamacare, specifically, the individual mandate provision of President Obama's signature health care law, which requires Americans to purchase health insurance or face government sanction.

MCFARLANE: Flexible fuel to end foreign oil dependence

The next time you go to buy a car, a fridge, shoes, a TV, boxer shorts or lipstick, what if there were only one choice - a single product in the marketplace for each category - take it or leave it?

TYRRELL: All the Romney trivia that's fit to print

Did I waste my time last Sunday? In the morning, I was reading the New York Times, acquainting myself with precisely how the rich and famous live. The editors of the New York Times chose this story for its front page so I figured they thought it important.

MILLER: GOP's Trump card

Mitt Romney and Donald Trump may not be cut from the same Republican cloth, but they share the goal of making Barack Obama a one-term president. The uptight, carefully controlled presidential nominee and the loose-lipped, uncontrollable businessman-TV star make an odd pair.

EDITORIAL: A climate of hypocrisy

There's nothing so profitable as being among the concerned climate experts who preach austerity. These enlightened few hector ordinary Americans into sacrificing their functional light bulbs, toilets and sport utility vehicles so the planet can be preserved.