House Republicans add 5 members to incumbent protection program

The House GOP campaign arm announced Friday that it is adding five Republicans to the ranks of its incumbent protection program for this year's midterm elections. The National Republican Congressional Committee's Patriot Program now has a total of 23 GOP lawmakers on its roster as it tries to defend the House GOP majority.

GOP seeks the return of earmarks after pas…

A trio of respected Republicans is pushing for the return of some earmarks to Capitol Hill, saying it's time to restore Congress' full power of the purse - and drawing passionate pushback from conservative groups who say the GOP would betray its voters if it returned to pork barrel spending. A vote on the rules change is expected behind closed doors among House Republicans on Wednesday, and if it's successful, the GOP will try to make a change for the entire Congress.