• Home
• Blogs
• Inside Politics

Inside Politics Archive: March 2013

• Obama signs bill to avoid federal government shutdown

  Without fanfare, President Obama signed a law Tuesday that will keep the federal government running through Sept. 30 and locks into place the "sequestration" budget cuts. Published March 26 2013

• New map lays out the 50 states' divergent paths on gay marriage

  On the cusp of Supreme Court arguments that could reshape how America defines marriage, a new color-coded map from the Pew Charitable Trusts shows just how varied the 50 states have become in their approaches to same-sex unions. Published March 26 2013

• Obama keeps close tabs during Court arguments on gay marriage

  President Obama, who personally supports same-sex marriage, received updates at the White House Tuesday about the oral arguments taking place Tuesday morning at the Supreme Court over California's law that bans the unions. Published March 26 2013

• Rep. Elijah Cummings raves about Super Bowl-winning intern Torrey Smith

  Rep. Elijah E. Cummings offered rave reviews on Tuesday for his most famous intern — Torrey Smith, a wide receiver for the Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens. Published March 26 2013

• Catholic bishops lead prayer march to Supreme Court as justices weigh gay marriage

  The U.S. Conference of Bishops will lead thousands of people in prayer today as they march toward the Supreme Court to promote marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Published March 26 2013

• White House condemns possible gun bill filibuster by GOP

  The White House labeled a plan Tuesday by Senate Republicans to block gun-control measures "unfortunate" and said those lawmakers threatening a filibuster are out of step with the vast majority of Americans. Published March 26 2013

• Politicians make their presence known on same-sex marriage

  First, President Obama announced his "evolution" on same-sex marriage. More recently, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued a statement of support for gay couples, and Sens. Claire McCaskill, of Missouri, and Mark Warner, of Virginia, said approving same-sex marriage was "the right thing to do." Published March 26 2013

• National Cathedral dean speaks out for gay marriage

  While an American conference of Catholic bishops is marching in favor of preserving the traditional definition of marriage, the dean of the Washington National Cathedral is calling on the Supreme Court to extend marital rights to same-sex unions as well. Published March 26 2013

• White House: Obama following gay-marriage cases closely

  Despite the White House's obvious interest in this week's Supreme Court hearings on two gay-marriage cases, the president's spokesman Josh Earnest said he wasn't sure whether any administration officials will be in the courtroom to watch. Published March 25 2013

• White House downplays resignation of Syrian rebel forces leader

  White House spokesman Josh Earnest expressed regret Monday over the resignation of Syrian opposition leader Moaz Khatib but said it would not change the U.S. support for those fighting President Bashir Assad's regime. Published March 25 2013

• Rand Paul is right: Majority of Americans agree drone strikes against citizens is a bad idea, poll

  Sen. Rand Paul isn't the only one opposed to drone strikes on U.S. soil. Published March 25 2013

• Lawmaker criticizes Obamacare questions on voter registration

  A House Republican leader wants the Obama administration to explain why an application to use insurance marketplaces under the health-care law asks people if they would like to register to vote. Published March 25 2013

• Kyl: Reports of GOP demise greatly exaggerated

  Former Republican Sen. Jon Kyl said Monday the GOP is "very much alive," arguing its losses in the November elections had more to do with flubs by the candidates than a popular rejection of the party's policies. Published March 25 2013

• President, 'Kid President' to preside at Easter egg roll

  President Obama will share the stage at the White House Easter Egg Roll with the "Kid President" Robby Novak, a 9-year-old whose pep talks to the nation have become a YouTube hit. Published March 25 2013

• Lawmakers go to the mat for Olympic wrestling

  Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio is touting bipartisan efforts to keep wrestling as an Olympic sport. Published March 25 2013

• Democrats robocalling against GOP state senators in Pennsylvania over Electoral College plan

  The Democratic National Committee is paying for robocalls targeting 10 Republican state senators in Pennsylvania over a GOP plan to change the way that the state awards electoral votes in presidential elections. Published March 25 2013

• Sanders warns against Social Security changes in budget deal

  Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders called on President Obama Monday not to change the way Social Security benefits are calculated as part of the White House's attempt to reach a "grand bargain" on the budget with congressional Republicans. Published March 25 2013

• Obama to swear in new citizens, push for immigration reform

  President Obama will use a naturalization ceremony Monday to prod Congress to introduce an immigration reform bill as soon as possible, a White House official said. Published March 25 2013

• John Hickenlooper: 'I was caught in a nightmare that I couldn't wake up from'

  On the day before Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper signed three tough gun-control measures into law, Tom Clements, the chief of the Colorado prison system, was shot to death, and it was later discovered that Mr. Hickenlooper was good friends with the father of a suspect. Published March 24 2013

• N.Y. Mayor Bloomberg: 'I think I have a responsibility ... to try to make this country safer'

  New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, who recently announced a $12 million, 13-state advertising blitz to push U.S. senators on gun legislation, says that he has "a responsibility" to try to make the country safer. Published March 24 2013