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• Haggling Over Hagel 

  

  Heather Hurlburt, Executive Director, National Security Network talks about the Obama administration's foreign policy shift as Hagel's Defense Secretary confirmation faces even more hurdles.

• Congress Clears Increase in Debt Limit Through May 18

  

  The Democratic-led Senate on Thursday approved must-do legislation to permit the government to borrow hundreds of billions of dollars more to meet its obligations, putting off one Washington showdown even as others loom in coming weeks.

• Obama: 'Now Is the Time' to Fix Immigration Laws

  

  President Obama called on Congress to make good on plans to overhaul the immigration system and offer a path to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants. He said that if Congress is unable to act quickly, he will propose legislation and demand lawmakers vote on it.

• Is Congress Anti-Growth? 

  

  Why are the Democrats seemingly focused only on tax hikes, while the GOP is stuck on spending cuts? CNBC's Steve Liesman digs into the question.

• Senators Unveil 'First Step' Plan on Immigration Reform

  

  A bipartisan group of leading senators unveiled an agreement Monday on the principles for a sweeping overhaul of the nation's immigration laws, including a path to citizenship for the 11 million illegal immigrants already in this country.

• Busch: Could a Chicago 'Quirky' Democrat Help Rebuild the GOP?

  

  This contributor thinks if Republicans follow the lead of a Chicago Democrat, they may just start winning back voters without abandoning the party's core.

• Where Is the US Debt Debate Heading? 

  

  Hans Goetti, Chief Investment Officer, Finaport says no one in the U.S. Congress is serious about counting spending, while Tony Nash, Managing Director, IHS sees a major change in the Republicans' approach to debt discussions.

• Wis. budget surplus grows to $484 million

  MADISON, Wis.-- Wisconsin's budget picture brightened Thursday, with new estimates that show a surplus will grow to $484 million, giving Republicans and Gov. The estimate from the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau was nearly $137 million better than one Walker's administration released in November.

• Tax Tattoos? Red States Look to Sales Over Income Taxes

  

  Republican governors are moving to cut income taxes, including proposals that would increase reliance on state sales taxes, setting up ambitious experiments in tax reform that could shape what is possible on a national level.

• Geithner's Legacy: Contention Through Financial Storms

  

  To many, Geithner deserves credit for helping steady the banking system and helping restore investor confidence. Yet his toughest critics say his policies consistently favored big banks over struggling Americans.

• Sticking With the Sequester? 

  

  Senate Democrats are finally promising to pass a budget, however an internal memo promises tax hikes will be included, with Ari Melber, Nation Magazine correspondent; Kate Obsenshain, author of "Divider-In-Chief"; and Kay Bailey Hutchison, Former U.S. Senator (R-TX).

• Better Growth Ahead? 

  

  The leading economic indicators are suggesting better growth ahead, explains CNBC's Larry Kudlow.

• Senate Leaders in Deal to (Sort of) Muzzle Filibusters

  

  The Senate's senior Democrat and Republican reached a tentative agreement to impose modest limits on the filibuster, the delaying tactic that minority parties have long used to kill legislation and was immortalized in the film "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington."

• Obama Picks Mary Jo White to Lead SEC

  

  President Obama nominated Mary Jo White to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission, tapping an attorney with broad experience in prosecuting white-collar crimes to lead an agency that has a central role in implementing Wall Street reform.

• House Votes to Suspend Debt Ceiling Until May

  

  With tacit support from President Barack Obama, the GOP-controlled House approved an extension of the debt ceiling Wednesday, heading off an economy-rattling fiscal crisis for at least four months.

• Wis. Dem introduces own mining bill

  MADISON, Wis.-- A Wisconsin Senate Democrat introduced his own legislation Tuesday to rework the state's mining regulations even as majority Republicans prepared to push their own plan. The GOP unveiled a massive bill last week that would overhaul iron mining regulations to help Gogebic Taconite build a huge open-pit mine in far northern Wisconsin.

• Sen. Toomey: 'Senate Doesn't Function' 

  

  Sen. Pat Toomey, (R-PA), weighs in on the House vote today on the debt ceiling and explains why he would like to see offsetting spending cuts.

• Obama's Inaugural Strategy 

  

  Debating whether Obama's remarks yesterday were actually intended to drive a wedge into the Republican Party. Mark Hannah, former campaign aide for John Kerry & Barack Obama; Kevin Madden, GOP strategist; and Ramesh Ponnuru, National Review, discuss motives behind the President's speech.

• House: Balance the Budget in 10 Years 

  

  House Republicans propose a measure that includes a balanced budget requirement within 10 years. What's the likelihood of it going anywhere, With Robert Costa, National Review. Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) and Rep. Sean Duffy (R-WI) discuss.

• Obama Lays Out Battle Plan as He Launches Second Term

  

  A confident President Barack Obama kicked off his second term on Monday with an impassioned call for a more inclusive America that rejects partisan rancor and embraces immigration reform, gay rights and the fight against climate change.