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Is mental illness the cause of mass shootings?

Politicians have linked mental illness and mass shootings again, and again, and again.

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What do politicians mean by 'bailout'?

From the beginning of American politics, politicians have used the term “bailout” as a political cudgel.

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No one knows how big the opioid epidemic is

Local law enforcement and national politicians are struggling to deal with the opioid epidemic gripping American communities.

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Why can't Congress get anything done on guns?

Here's an explanation of why elected leaders fail — despite broad public support — to pass measures like additional background checks on firearm purchases.

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Got milk subsidies?

What does the government have to do with the price of milk? Turns out – everything.

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DecodeDC's foremost aim is to be useful. That means being a reliable, honest and highly entertaining source of insight and explanation. It also means providing multimedia coverage of Washington's people, culture, policies and politics that is enlightening and enjoyable. Whether it's a podcast, a video, an interactive graphic, a short story or a long analysis, it will be based on this guiding principle: We are in DC but not OF DC.