WASHINGTON (Reuters) – On paper, there’s one thing to like about the ugly spending cuts due to kick in on Friday: $85 billion in budget savings at a time when Washington continues to bleed red ink.

In reality, the so-called “sequester” is likely to yield less than half that much in the short term.

WASHINGTON, Feb 28 (Reuters) – On paper, there’s one thing
to like about the ugly spending cuts due to kick in on Friday:
$85 billion in budget savings at a time when Washington
continues to bleed red ink.

In reality, the so-called “sequester” is likely to yield
less than half that much in the short term.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A former furniture warehouse in a struggling Rust Belt city has emerged as a national model for innovation after President Barack Obama highlighted it in his State of the Union speech on Tuesday.

Obama now aims to convince Congress to spend $1 billion to replicate the model nationwide. But it will be a tough sell to Republicans, who oppose government spending on industry and argue private capital will respond if there is real demand.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama emphasized the economic benefits of overhauling the country’s immigration laws in his State of the Union speech on Tuesday as he urged Congress to send him legislation to sign into law in the next few months.

In a speech largely focused on job creation, Obama said the United States could strengthen its economy by attracting more high-tech workers from overseas and establishing a pathway to citizenship for those who entered the country illegally.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A top U.S. Republican lawmaker said on Sunday he would support granting citizenship to children who are in the country illegally in a sign that conservatives who oppose immigration amnesty will be playing defense as Congress takes on immigration reform in the coming months.

Representative Eric Cantor, the No. 2 Republican in the House of Representatives, said Congress could make quick progress on immigration if lawmakers agreed to give citizenship to children – an idea he opposed when it came up for a vote in 2010 as the DREAM Act.

CAPE ELIZABETH, Maine (Reuters) – Things are looking up at the Spurwink Rod and Gun Club.

The junior marksmanship team now has matching jackets and Olympic-style rifles. There’s a new video security system. And the shooting range has been rebuilt, with a rubber roof and double-thick plywood walls to dampen the crack of rifle fire – not that that’s likely to satisfy the neighbors who keep complaining about the noise.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Whoever coined the term “to the victor goes the spoils” did not have President Barack Obama’s official inauguration party in mind.

They knocked on doors for him and helped him win re-election, but when Obama supporters put on their tuxedos and ball gowns to celebrate the start of his second term in office, they feasted on pretzels, peanuts and Cheez-its.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama starts his second term in office facing unprecedented budget constraints that will challenge his ability to implement his economic vision.

Spending caps that Obama signed into law in 2011 will make it difficult to boost investment in education, scientific research, transportation and other areas that he says will help the country retool for heightened global competition and rapid technological change, budget experts say.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama appears ready to gamble in the debate over gun control.

By signaling on Monday that he will ask Congress to ban military-style assault weapons, Obama is embarking on a high-risk strategy that is likely to further inflame tensions with Republicans at a time when feelings already are raw because of a series of running budget battles.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama appears ready to gamble in the debate over gun control.

By signaling on Monday that he will ask Congress to ban military-style assault weapons, Obama is embarking on a high-risk strategy that is likely to further inflame tensions with Republicans at a time when feelings already are raw because of a series of running budget battles.