In Today’s Times
- In pushing for Congress to act swiftly to overhaul the nation’s immigration rules, President Obama has offered some proposals that expose potential conflicts in the current debate. Mark Landler writes that Mr. Obama’s speech on Tuesday and a framework offered Monday by a bipartisan group of eight senators were opening steps in a complicated effort to move forward on an issue that the president and both parties agree needs to be addressed.
- Julia Preston writes that Mr. Obama’s proposals for an immigration overhaul offered lawmakers “carrots and sticks,†but also left vague many potentially divisive issues. The speech he gave on Tuesday positioned him to be “involved in the debate as it unfolds in coming months in ongress, while also staying distant enough to be able to force the action in the direction of policies he favors, if he finds it necessary.â€.
- Jennifer Steinhauer explains the changed political, demographic and economic dynamics pressuring Congress as lawmakers gear up to refight policy battles on immigration and gun violence. The rising political influence of Hispanics, a reduced flow of undocumented immigrants into the country and increased border security have improved prospects for immigration reform, but tighter gun controls appear less likely because lawmakers in gun-friendly districts are positioning themselves for the 2014 elections.
- As Senator John Kerry prepares to take on his next role as secretary of state, Michael R. Gordon writes, it! is unclear how he will approach the range of difficult issues that he will inherit. Mr. Kerry, who will be sworn in after Hillary Rodham Clinton steps down on Friday, will be charged with handling the diplomatic response to conflicts between Israelis and Palestinians, bloody battles in Egypt and Syria, and deteriorated relations with Russia.
- Lawmakers’ push to withhold their own paychecks until Congress passes a budget might seem noble until one considers how wealthy members of Congress are. Jeremy W. Peters points out that lawmakers’ net worth is more than 14 times that of the average American household, cushioning all but the poorest members from the pinch of a few missed paychecks. There are also questions about whether such a proposal runs afoul of a constitutional amendment regulating lawmakers’ pay.
Happenings in Washington
- conomic reports due on Wednesday include one on the fourth-quarter gross domestic product at 8:30 a.m.
- The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a long-awaited hearing on gun violence at 10 a.m.
- At 1:45 p.m., Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will hold a final town-hall-style meeting with Department of State personnel.
- Federal Reserve policymakers will conclude a two-day meeting on Wednesday, with a statement expected at 2:15 p.m.
- Senator John Kerry, the Massachusetts Democrat who will become secretary of state, will give his farewell speech on the chamber floor at 2:30 p.m.
