President Obama’s news conference on the sequester and funding cuts (Transcript)

Here is a running transcript of President Obama’s news conference on the sequestration cuts delivered on March 1, 2013. Remarks are being updated as they unfold: PRESIDENT OBAMA: Good morning, everybody. As you know, I just met with the leaders of both parties to discuss a way forward in light of the severe budget cuts that start to take effect today. I told them these cuts will hurt...

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Harry Reid says it’s still ‘not too late’ to avert sequester

Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid said Thursday that it is still “not too late” to avert potentially devastating budget cuts due to start taking effect Friday, and he blasted a Republican plan that he said would embrace the cuts without taking responsibility for them. In a floor speech a day ahead of a White House meeting between President Obama and a bipartisan group of congressional...

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FCC chair Genachowski looks to stay put

(Marvin Joseph - The Washington Post) Speculation has long been swirling around who might replace Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski. But hold the phone — all that sturm and drang may be for naught. It looks like he’s staying put for a bit. Yes, technically, Genachowski’s term expires June 30. But by law, he can remain until Congress leaves town at...

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Group releases list of 90 medical ‘don’ts’

Don’t use feeding tubes in patients with advanced dementia. Don’t use drugs to aggressively treat diabetes in those older than 65. Don’t automati­cally use imaging technology for minor head injuries in children and headaches in adults. And don’t give antacids to babies with reflux. Those are among the 90 medical “don’ts” on a list being released Thursday by a coalition of doctor and consumer...

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Some alleged terrorists can’t read enough about themselves

A guard tower at the Guantanamo prison. (Jim Watson - AFP/Getty Images) Ever wonder what books terrorists like to read? Probably not, but it seems some like to read about themselves or alleged close pals.Ramzi Binalshibh, a Yemeni who is accused of having helped and wanting to join the 9/11 terrorists — but was denied a visa four times — isn’t into snuggling up with what...

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Postmaster takes case for five-day mail delivery to skeptical senators

Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe took his controversial plan for five-day mail delivery before a congressional hearing Wednesday, where he told senators that the Postal Service “needs your help.” Donahoe’s refrain was familiar. ●The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is losing $25 million a day.●Last year, the Postal Service lost $15.9 billion.●It defaulted on $11.1 billion...

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Obama urges a move away from narrow focus on politics of austerity

Just about every argument in Washington since the 2010 midterm elections, which returned control of the House to Republicans, has centered on reducing the federal deficit. On Tuesday night, President Obama leaned into his second term by declaring that a single-minded focus on deficit reduction would jeopardize the nation’s future. And he sounded an urgent call to rebuild. Reelected by...

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Obama pays tribute to Leon Panetta at the Pentagon chief’s farewell ceremony

President Obama paid tribute Friday to outgoing Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, hailing him for presiding over victories against terrorists and the expansion of opportunity in the U.S. armed forces. In a speech at Fort Myer, Va., for the “Armed Forces Farewell Tribute” to Panetta, the president called the Pentagon chief “a man who hasn’t simply lived up to the American dream but has...

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Strengthening security at the nation’s airports

Most people think of airport security as their walk through the metal detector and the eyeballing by transportation security officers (TSOs). Dan Liddell, whose job it is to protect the flying public at seven airports in central New York, instead sees 17 zones of worker responsibility and hundreds of different tasks. In pursuit of safeguarding the public, Liddell, a federal security director...

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VA study finds more veterans committing suicide

Every day about 22 veterans in the United States kill themselves, a rate that is about 20 percent higher than the Department of Veterans Affairs’ 2007 estimate, according to a two-year study by a VA researcher. The VA study indicates that more than two-thirds of the veterans who commit suicide are 50 or older, suggesting that the increase in veterans’ suicides is not primarily driven by...

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Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on gun violence on Jan. 30, 2013 (Transcript)

Here’s a running transcript of testimony from the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on gun-related violence on Jan. 30, 2013. Remarks are being updated as they become available. SEN. PATRICK LEAHY: We have more than 200 people here today and hundreds more watching on our committee web cast. I expect everybody in this room to be respectful of the senators and the witnesses speaking about...

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Bipartisan group of senators to unveil framework for immigration overhaul

A key group of senators from both parties will unveil on Monday the framework of a broad overhaul of the nation’s immigration laws, including a pathway to citizenship for more than 11 million illegal immigrants. The detailed, four-page statement of principles will carry the signatures of four Republicans and four Democrats, a bipartisan push that would have been unimaginable just...

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OPM plans to shake up charity program raise concerns about reduced donations

The Office of Personnel Management wants to shake up the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), the charitable-giving system for federal employees, but in the process the agency could risk losing donors and reducing contributions. One rule under review by the Obama administration would “eliminate the use of cash, check and money order contributions. Instead, all donations will be required to...

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House Republicans plan to keep debt limit but suspend it until May

Forget about raising the federal debt limit. House Republicans are proposing to ignore it altogether -- at least until May 18. The House plans to vote Wednesday on a measure that would leave the $16.4 trillion debt limit intact but declare that it “shall not apply” from the date the measure passes until mid-May. This approach -- novel in modern times -- would let Republicans avoid...

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President Obama’s second inaugural address (Transcript)

Here’s President Obama’s second inaugural address as prepared for delivery on Jan. 21, 2013 . MORE COVERAGE: Obama takes oath for second term | A lighter crowd than four years ago | Obama starts term with eye on legacy OBAMA: Vice President Biden, Mr. Chief Justice, Members of the United States Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens:Each time we gather to inaugurate...

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Obama officially begins his second term with oath

Barack Hussein Obama officially began his second term as the nation’s 44th president Sunday, taking the oath of office in a low-key ceremony at the White House. Chief Justice John G. Roberts administered the oath, and the two will repeat the process again Monday in a public celebration at the Capitol. The Constitution mandates that presidential terms begin on Jan. 20, and it is traditional...

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Earl Smith is the man behind a military patch that President Obama prizes

AUSTIN — That February morning in 2008 found Barack Obama decidedly out of sorts. He was locked in one battle with Hillary Rodham Clinton for the Democratic nomination that showed no signs of ending — and another with a vicious cold that felt the same way. As he rode the service elevator in the backway of a convention hotel here, the snowy-haired African American operating it turned...

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Earl Smith is the man behind a military patch that President Obama prizes

AUSTIN, Tex. — That February morning in 2008 found Barack Obama decidedly out of sorts. He was locked in one battle with Hillary Rodham Clinton for the Democratic nomination that showed no signs of ending — and another with a vicious cold that felt the same way. As he rode the service elevator in the backway of a convention hotel here, the snowy-haired African American operating it...

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President Obama’s remarks on new gun control proposals, Jan. 16, 2013 (Transcript)

Here is a running transcript of President Obama’s remarks and the unveiling of new gun control proposals, delivered on Jan. 16, 2013. Remarks are being updated as they become available. VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN: Before -- before I begin today, let me say to the families of the innocents who were murdered 33 days ago, our heart -- our heart goes out to you. And you show incredible courage --...

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Schumer to back Hagel as defense secretary

Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced his support Tuesday for the nomination of former senator Chuck Hagel as secretary of defense, delivering a key vote for the Nebraska Republican’s confirmation after weeks of voicing doubt about his positions on security issues related to Israel and Iran. Schumer, the No. 3 Democrat and most senior Jewish senator, made the decision after a 90-minute...

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