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Republicans are openly feuding over whether to seek drastic changes to Medicare, Social Security and other entitlement programs, risking a potentially damaging intraparty battle ahead of the 2016 elections. The rift was exemplified this week by the biggest GOP stars of the moment. Newly installed House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) said he plans to pursue a “bold alternative agenda” that would include major revisions in entitlements. At the same time, leading GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump railed against proposals to end or significantly change Medicare. (Costa and O'Keefe, 11/4)

The 2015 elections were rougher for Democrats in redder states, as they suffered a surprisingly large defeat in the Kentucky governor’s race, failed to win a majority in the Virginia Senate and saw voters thump an LGBT rights ordinance in Houston. But in blue states and cities, the party held or gained ground. As the parties head into a new presidential year, the country’s partisan divide has deepened. Republicans walked away from Tuesday with the big wins. Democrats walked away with fresh confidence that their map can win a third presidential election in a row. (Weigel, 11/4)

Democratic presidential candidate and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is proposing to end the federal prohibition on marijuana. The Senate bill set to be introduced by Mr. Sanders would remove marijuana from the list of substances controlled under federal law and repeal federal penalties for possessing or consuming it. “The time is long overdue for us to take marijuana off of the federal government’s list of outlawed drugs,” Mr. Sanders said on the Senate floor last week. (Tau, 11/4)

Christie has signed bills improving access to drug prevention and treatment. In 2013, he signed a so-called "Good Samaritan" law that provides immunity from arrest for people who call 911 if they are with someone who overdoses while doing drugs. New Jersey also made Naloxone, a drug that can reverse the effects of opiates, available to friends and family members of known drug users. But he has taken a hard line on marijuana, calling medical marijuana programs a "front for legalization" and vowing to crack down on the drug from the federal level if he is elected president. (Zezima, 11/4)