Inside Politics Archive: February 2013
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No. 2 Defense Department official: I'll give back 20 percent of salary
The No. 2 civilian in the Defense Department said Tuesday he will refuse part of his salary this year in order to feel the kind of pain that other civilian workers will feel if the automatic spending cuts due March 1 take effect. Published February 12 2013
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Gun control group protests Nugent's presence at SOTU
A gun control advocacy group is furious that conservative rocker and outspoken gun enthusiast Ted Nugent will be a guest at President Obama's State of the Union Address Tuesday night, along with approximately 30 victims of gun violence and their families. Published February 12 2013
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Obama insists his health care law will save money, a claim sure to draw GOP ire
President Obama on Tuesday said his signature health-care law is saving money for the nation, a claim that is sure to draw the ire of Republicans who are hoping to scale back the law despite the president's reelection and the Supreme Court's decision to uphold its key reforms. Published February 12 2013
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'Effective Amnesty' for illegal immigrants will mean fewer jobs for African-Americans, two advocates warn
Two members of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights wrote to President Obama on Tuesday telling him that if he succeeds in enacting an "effective amnesty" for illegal immigrants, it will likely mean fewer jobs and lower pay for black Americans. Published February 12 2013
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White House disagrees with Pelosi on 'spending problem'
If the first step to recovery is to admit you have a problem, Democratic leaders are not quite in agreement on the question of federal spending. Published February 11 2013
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Biden: Taking away guns 'a bunch of malarkey'
Vice President Joseph R. Biden on Monday characterized suggestions that he has ever favored confiscating guns as "malarkey" — a term the garrulous Mr. Biden used in last fall's vice presidential debate to rebut his opponent, Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan. Published February 11 2013
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House committee releases 'Keystone clock'
With respect to approving the Keystone XL pipeline, President Obama officially has been put on the clock. Published February 11 2013
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Gabby Giffords' gun-control fight goes national as her super PAC cuts first TV ad
The political action committee founded by former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, Mark Kelly, released its first television ad Monday — one day before President Obama's State of the Union address, in which he is expected to address gun control in the wake of the Connecticut school shootings in December. Published February 11 2013
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Education Secretary Duncan to return to NBA celebrity game
Education Secretary Arne Duncan will make his third appearance in the NBA's All-Star Celebrity Game on Friday night, taking the court alongside former athletes and Hollywood stars. Published February 11 2013
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Obama praises retiring Pope Benedict XVI
President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama said they were sending "our appreciation and prayers to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI" Monday after the 85-year-old Roman Catholic pontiff unexpectedly announced his retirement because of failing health. Published February 11 2013
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Senate committee sets vote on Hagel nomination
Senate Democrats will press ahead with Chuck Hagel's nomination to be the next defense secretary — and they have the support of Sen. John McCain, a senior Republican who says the Armed Services Committee has properly vetted the nomination. Published February 11 2013
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McConnell: Obama should address rising health costs in State of the Union speech
Senator Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Monday dared President Obama to address the unintended consequences of "Obamacare" in his State of the Union address. Published February 11 2013
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Ted Nugent to be guest at State of the Union
While other members of Congress are hosting gun-control advocates for Tuesday's State of the Union address, Rep. Steve Stockman has given one of his visitor's gallery tickets to Ted Nugent, the conservative gun-rights supporter. Published February 11 2013
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Feds recoup $4.2B in fraudulent health care payments
The federal government recouped $4.2 billion from fraudulent health care payments in fiscal 2012, the Obama administration said Monday, calling it the best return on investment since the government began a program 16 years ago to try to collect on bad payments. Published February 11 2013
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Sen. Rand Paul: Ashley Judd doesn't represent Kentucky
Sen. Rand Paul thinks actress Ashley Judd might be better qualified to run for a seat in England's Parliament than the U.S. Congress. Published February 10 2013
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McCain blasts White House for 'shameful' inaction on Syria
Sen. John McCain on Sunday against blasted President Obama and his national security team for not intervening in the ongoing Syrian civil war. Published February 10 2013
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Rand Paul to give tea party response to Obama
Sen. Rand Paul will deliver what's being billed as the official tea party response to President Obama's State of the Union address on Tuesday, the Tea Party Express announced Friday afternoon — putting yet another top 2016 GOP presidential contender head-to-head with Mr. Obama. Published February 8 2013
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Obama to honor slain teachers
Six educators who were slain in the Sandy Hook school massacre will be honored posthumously by President Obama next week in a ceremony at the White House. Published February 8 2013
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Kaine, Warner tout Virginia's background check system
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor earlier this week said Virginia's background check system could potentially serve as a national model — and the state's two Democratic Senators agree with him. Published February 8 2013
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Backers cite national security to build Keystone pipeline
House Republicans now are citing yet another reason President Obama should approve the massive Canada-to-Texas Keystone XL pipeline project: national security. Published February 7 2013
