Feb 5
How FDR lost his brief war on the Supreme Court
On February 5, 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt shocked America by introducing a plan to expand the Supreme Court, to gain favorable votes. FDR’s war on the court was short-lived, and it was defeated by a crafty chief justice and Roosevelt’s own party members.
Feb 4
Former First Dog Barney was an early web video icon
When news broke this weekend that former President George W. Bush’s dog Barney had passed away, there was a bipartisan outpouring in Washington for one of the Internet’s first video stars.
Feb 4
The day Rosa Parks made history by riding a bus
Editor’s note: February 4, 2013 marks the 100th birthday of civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks. The following column from last December looks at Parks’ role in the Montgomery bus boycott.
Feb 2
Your one-stop primer on the Senate filibuster
The Senate filibuster has had a banner month so far. In late January, the Senate approved modest changes to the filibuster. And this week, there has been speculation that Senate Republicans might resort to a filibuster of Chuck Hagel’s nomination as defense secretary.
Feb 1
Background checks could be gun control deal breaker
The idea of expanded background checks for prospective gun owners is quickly becoming the battleground in Congress for any changes in national weapons control legislation.
