WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch

The center-right Popular Party makes gains in Spanish elections against the ruling Socialists, which may produce a hung parliament. What does the result tell us about the political trend in Europe? Plus, the Federal Reserve seems set to end its interest-rate pause and raise rates again. Good idea?

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IRS agents Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler tell Congress about interference in the investigation of Hunter Biden on tax charges. Does this put the onus on Attorney General Merrick Garland to answer questions? Plus, a new report says Covid learning loss is being exacerbated by teacher turnover and poor instruction.

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General Mark Milley says the Ukrainian effort against Russia is "far from a failure," but does Ukraine have the weapons it needs to retake territory in the east? Plus, Vladimir Putin tries to hold the world's food supply hostage as the Black Sea grain deal falls apart.

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Thirteen state attorneys general warn the Fortune 100 that the recent ruling striking down college race preferences also has implications for corporate America. Plus, Joe Biden comes up with a backup plan to forgive student loans, after the Justices overturned his first attempt, but is another legal challenge coming?

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The Senate Judiciary Committee takes up a Democratic bill to impose "ethics" and recusal rules on the Justices. But would this restore or undermine public confidence, and is it constitutional? Plus, reporters question Justice Sonia Sotomayor's book tours and Venmo reimbursements for Clarence Thomas's Christmas parties.

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Has Joe Biden brought the country back to the bad old days of the 1970s? On this episode of the Potomac Watch podcast, Paul Gigot speaks with Kim Strassel about her new book, "The Biden Malaise: How America Bounces Back from Joe Biden's Dismal Repeat of the Jimmy Carter Years." They discuss how the Biden Democrats compare to the Carter Democrats, and how Republicans can make a comeback like they did in 1980.

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The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passes in the House, with Republican provisions to override the Pentagon on diversity and abortion policy. Does this mean Sen. Tommy Tuberville will quit holding up military promotions? And what does it say about the GOP that amendments to block aid to Ukraine were voted down?

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NATO overcomes objections from Turkey to invite Sweden as its 32nd member nation, while Ukraine gets a promise of future membership, albeit without a timeline. Plus, FBI Director Christopher Wray displayed his political skills while dodging questions from House Republicans, but he didn't do the bureau's reputation any favors. 

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Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan fails to stop Microsoft's $75 billion acquisition of the video-game developer Activision Blizzard, but her campaign against bigness continues. Plus, congressional Republicans want to hear from U.S. Attorney David Weiss about the Hunter Biden investigation and plea deal.

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The alliance says Ukraine will be invited to join later, when "conditions are met" but without a specific timeline, drawing the ire of Volodymyr Zelensky. Plus, Turkey says it will no longer object to Sweden's NATO accession, and Joe Biden agrees to send cluster bombs to Ukraine, while noting America's dwindling ammo stockpiles.

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