CIA Chief’s Egypt Comments Confuses Everyone
The Washington Post reports: “Panetta, who had little intelligence experience before taking the CIA job two years ago, has been praised for his skill in leading a notoriously temperamental agency, and for handling public controversies with a deft touch. His testimony Thursday as part of an annual hearing on national security threats, which coincided with new chaos in Cairo, seemed to mark a rare misstep. Unlike other senior intelligence officials who were more circumspect in their comments on Egypt, Panetta did not hesitate in offering assessments of the rapidly shifting events.”
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama will receive his daily briefing at 9:45 a.m. ET. He does not currently have any scheduled public events.
Biden’s Day Ahead
Vice President Biden will travel in the morning to Louisville, Kentucky. He will deliver remarks at 11:30 a.m. at the University of Louisville as part of the McConnell Center’s spring lecture series, where he will be introduced by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). Later, he will return to Washington, D.C.
Tough Week Leaves House GOP Majority In Confusion, Picking Up Pieces
The Hill reports: “House Republicans on Thursday sought to regroup from a rocky week that saw the abrupt resignation of one member and two failed votes on the floor. Rank-and-file members said GOP leaders need to do a better job of organizing their troops as more tensions surface ahead of big budget votes. Appropriators on Thursday were forced to delay the introduction of a short-term spending measure because of objections from conservative members of the conference.”
Arizona Counter-suing Federal Government Over Illegal Immigration
AFP reports: “Arizona is counter-suing the US government, charging that Washington has failed to protect it from an invasion of illegal immigrants and related violent crime, its governor has said. The lawsuit, which seeks federal compensation, is in response to a federal lawsuit filed by President Barack Obama’s administration last year challenging Arizona’s enforcement of a new immigration law along the US-Mexican border.”
Romney, Pawlenty Assembling Hill Teams For 2012
Roll Call reports: “Likely Republican presidential candidates Tim Pawlenty and Mitt Romney are quietly but aggressively wooing members of Congress for endorsements and political support in campaigns that have yet to officially take flight. The field of potential GOP candidates is crowded. But Minnesota’s Pawlenty and Massachusetts’ Romney appear to be among the most active in recruiting Members’ support.”
