Politics

The updated 18-year-old guidelines reflect concern over China's growing influence and North Korea's nuclear capability. They also call for Japan to take a more active role in the Asia Pacific region.

The Supreme Court hears arguments on same-sex-marriage bans Tuesday. And even though Republicans are the traditional-marriage party, they just could welcome a pro-same-sex marriage ruling.

Hearing about a young woman's struggle to wipe away her conviction on prostitution charges inspired New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen to introduce legislation to help other victims.

After an unexpected promotion, Cardin has become the senior Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee just as it is crafting a role for Congress to weigh in on the Iran nuclear deal.

Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, who will decide on a presidential run soon, is for a higher minimum wage and wants to increase Social Security benefits even though some would pay higher taxes.

If this Senate is getting some traction, it's not yet a threat to anyone's legislative hall of fame. Much higher hurdles loom, including highway funding, spending bills and the debt ceiling.

In the New York Congressional district where an an unarmed black man died at the hands of police last year, neither candidate for a special congressional election is using the death to score points.