Congress passes payroll tax cut extension

Paul Kane and Ben Pershing

The House and Senate approve a $150 billion economic package, extending for the rest of the year a payroll tax holiday for 160 million workers and unemployment benefits for millions of others.

500+ comments: ‘Nice to see Republicans can agree on a tax cut’ Economic package passes with a 293-132 vote

Obama’s support for export industry leads to clash of U.S. interests

Obama’s support for export industry leads to clash of U.S. interests

Zachary A. Goldfarb

Experts say the approach by President Obama forces him to pick winners and losers.

370+ comments: ‘The loans will all be repaid’

Putin unleashes wave of anti-American sentiment ahead of March elections

Putin unleashes wave of anti-American sentiment ahead of March elections

Kathy Lally

Can U.S.-Russian relations withstand damage from attacks that have gotten more aggressive?

Politics and power: Putin’s ascent in Russia Demonstrations follow December election

Google pulls code tracking iPhone use after research raises privacy concerns

Google pulls code tracking iPhone use after research raises privacy concerns

Hayley Tsukayama

The Internet giant is pulling code that bypassed privacy features in Safari’s iPhone Web browser.

What settings did Google flout? Does it matter?

6 of 10 on House Ethics Committee quit probe involving Rep. Maxine Waters

6 of 10 on House Ethics Committee quit probe involving Rep. Maxine Waters

Associated Press

In an extraordinary move, six drop out, saying they wanted to ensure there’s no bias in the investigation.

Does God really object to birth control?

Does God really object to birth control?

Lisa Miller

COLUMN | What can the Golden Rule’s call to ‘love your neighbor’ teach us about this controversy?

210+ comments: ‘There is no ‘war on religion’ Fact Checker: Catholic women and birth control Wonkblog: Insurers not sold on coverage

Helping or hurting our elderly? When medical care amounts to torture.

Helping or hurting our elderly? When medical care amounts to torture.

Craig Bowron

OPINION | Medical advances have made death seem more like an option than an obligation.

Anthony Shadid, the ‘most gifted foreign correspondent in a generation’

Anthony Shadid, the ‘most gifted foreign correspondent in a generation’

Rajiv Chandrasekaran

APPRECIATION | He found humanity amid rubble, compassion in the tableau of violence.

N.Y. Times correspondent dies in Syria at 43 Colleagues recall an extraordinary reporter Shadid remembered as one of industry’s best
Elie Wiesel, left, Helen Radkey and Romney; and the Family History Library.

Elie Wiesel, left, Helen Radkey and Romney; and the Family History Library. (Getty; Tom Smart for The Post; AP; Getty)

Mitt Romney’s newest problem: Mormon researcher Helen Radkey

Jason Horowitz

The excommunicated Mormon, long a critic of the church’s posthumous baptisms, is hoping to cause a headache for the GOP presidential candidate.

Romney criticizes earmarks, but he also sought aid Debate-weary GOP candidates pull out of Ga. forum Obama raises $29M for campaign, Democrats

Opinions

Overreach: Obamacare vs. the Constitution

Overreach: Obamacare vs. the Constitution

Charles Krauthammer

The law invades religious, business and individual autonomy.

Gerson: Romney a campaigner without a cause Milbank: The chimichanga wars Robinson: U.S. should learn from China Sargent: Payroll tax a big win for Dems Rubin: Santorum’s electability still weak Capehart: Rick Santorum is no Foster Friess Eskew: Why is Romney playing down his religion?

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Top Headlines

FDA reiterates concerns with diet pill from Vivus Prosecutor calls DOJ officials ‘chuckleheads’ Flu season off to its latest start in nearly 25 years Inflation slightly up in January, by 0.2 percernt Spain faces price of embracing austerity Murdoch promises Sun journalists new tabloid AP: High-ranking ICE official shot in Calif. Costner, Brown to attend Whitney Houston funeral

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Featured Videos

Honoring Frederick Douglass

Honoring Frederick Douglass

VIDEO | The Frederick Douglass oratorical competition winners performed their speeches at the 194th birthday celebration.
House approves payroll tax cut approved (1:28)

House approves payroll tax cut approved (1:28)

The House passed a payroll tax cut extension for 160 million Americans. The Senate approved the measure minutes later, sending it to President Obama for his signature. (Feb. 17)
Times correspondent Anthony Shadid dies in Syria (0:46)

Times correspondent Anthony Shadid dies in Syria (0:46)

New York Times correspondent Anthony Shadid, a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner whose dispatches captured untold stories from Baghdad under "shock and awe" bombing to Libya wracked by civil war, died Thursday of an asthma attack in Syria. (Feb. 17)
Nigerian underwear bomber to get life sentence (1:23)

Nigerian underwear bomber to get life sentence (1:23)

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, a Nigerian who tried to blow up a flight near Detroit on behalf of al-Qaida, was sentenced to life in prison without parole. The mandatory punishment Thursday for was never in doubt after he pleaded guilty. (Feb. 16)
Jennifer Aniston on working with Paul Rudd, Justin Theroux (1:29)

Jennifer Aniston on working with Paul Rudd, Justin Theroux (1:29)

Jennifer Aniston talks about working with old friends, including Paul Rudd and new beau Justin Theroux, on her latest film "Wanderlust" at the Los Angeles premiere, while director David Wain confesses ignorance on the co-stars blooming romance. (Feb. 17)
Michelle Obama brings White House tourist to tears (1:43)

Michelle Obama brings White House tourist to tears (1:43)

Michelle Obama and dog, Bo, surprised White House tour groups, even bringing one visitor to tears. (Feb. 16)
Clash of religion, contraception at Hill hearing (2:04)

Clash of religion, contraception at Hill hearing (2:04)

Religious leaders told a House panel Thursday the Obama administration was violating basic rights to religious freedom with its policies for requiring that employees of religion-affiliated institutions have access to birth control coverage. (Feb. 16)

Don't Miss . . .

US President Barack Obama (C) speaks with campaign volunteers from across the country, who were invited to Washington based on essays they wrote, during a lunch a Ted's Bulletin in Washington, DC, August 10, 2011. AFP PHOTO/Jim WATSON (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)

The Obamas ate here

PHOTOS | Post food critic Tom Sietsema dishes on the D.C. area restaurants the first family has visited.

Anthony Hopkins and Joan Allen in Nixon

Presidents’ Day at the movies

PHOTOS | In honor of the holiday, here are some of Hollywood’s best depictions of the presidency.

Columns and Blogs

Jeremy Lin is still a stereotype

Jeremy Lin is still a stereotype

Jonathan Zimmerman

And why that’s not a bad thing.

Petri: Lin’s inspiring run

Erik Wemple

Anthony Shadid, a master, dies

Alexandra Petri

What does your favorite president say about you?

Carolyn Hax

A state of romantic confusion

Featured Photo Galleries

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Day in photos

Lemon festival, rare cognac, Honduras prison fire aftermath, iPad battle and more.

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Eye on entertainment

Jennifer Aniston, Mick Jagger, Sigourney Weaver, Rosario Dawson and other celebrities.

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Iran’s female martial artists

About 3,000 women train in ninjutsu in independently run clubs.

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The Kennedy family’s politicians

Members of the famous family have gone on to a career in politics.

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Lillian Bassman, fashion photographer, dies at 94

Bassman’s photos included high contrasts between light and dark.

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Paramedic’s funeral

Weissman died from injuries sustained while trying to reach a burning vehicle.

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Seth Casteel’s surreal photos of dogs underwater

Casteel’s photos have been a sensation.

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William Shatner through the years

Shatner, known on “Star Trek,” is the star of new one-man Broadway show.

Featured Discussions

Live Q&A

Chat | Chimichanga Twitter war

Chat | Chimichanga Twitter war

It’s common for the GOP and Dems to tussle — but not about deep-fried burritos. Join Dana Milbank, who’s column started it all.

Fix Live: Does Romney need Michigan?

Full chat schedule

President's Day 2012

Most underrated president ever

Most underrated president ever

President’s Day honors the greats: Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson, etc. But who else deserves recognition?

Vote: Most influential presidential family

More conversations

Politics

Santorum made millions as consultant

Dan Eggen and Rosalind S. Helderman

Rick Santorum, who has touted his humble roots, released tax returns showing he made millions in recent years as a Washington consultant.

Federal Eye: How much do federal employees earn? Fact Checker: Your guide to Obama budget rhetoric Read more on PostPolitics
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Entertainment News

Mum’s word on ‘Colbert’ cancellations

Mum’s word on ‘Colbert’ cancellations

Lisa De Moraes

Fake-news show abruptly halted through rest of week, with biggest rumor being that host’s mother is ill.

‘Shatner’s World’: On his own planet

‘Shatner’s World’: On his own planet

Peter Marks

REVIEW | Revealing, if befuddled, one-man show tells the behind-the-scenes stories of his TV career.

Lifestyle

Tom Sietsema: A reinvigorating Elisir

Tom Sietsema: A reinvigorating Elisir

While uneven, what’s good at Enzo Fargione’s latest restaurant sometimes edges on great.

Best events this weekend

Best events this weekend

Brandon Weigel

Going Out Guide picks: Annual local music awards and Neal Brennan’s stand-up comedy.