Brian Beutler

Even as they worked out the details of how interrogation techniques widely regarded as torture would be used on detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, Pentagon officials sought to keep the blood off Defense Department hands.

We have known for a long time that Donald Rumsfeld approved the use of 15 torture techniques in 2002, but a new congressional hearing exposes the depth of opposition he faced from the military.

Peace activists on Capitol Hill hope to stave off war with Iran through cross-cultural contact between ordinary citizens. Leaders of the Congressional Progressive Caucus show their support.

Byron Dorgan has led a crusade against contractor fraud in Iraq. Now he wants a full congressional committee with subpoena power to finally expose the truth about war profiteering.

A Senate committee seeks to limit the use of secretive national security letters — if you receive one, you’re not allowed to tell anybody, but you are obliged to comply with its request for information.

Congress, facing a Justice Department unwilling to enforce its subpoenas, is exploring a novel legal option that could vastly expand the power of the legislative branch. Or not.

Buried in the administration’s new budget is $10 million for the development of new nuclear weapons. Despite congressional opposition, and ongoing efforts to force other countries to abandon nuclear programs, the Bush administration refuses to let its dreams of U.S. nuclear expansion die.

The White House is about to embark upon a series of negotiations with the Iraqi government about the shape of U.S. involvement in Iraq for years to come. They say they will likely not seek congressional approval. But is that constitutional?