In Today’s Times:
In Israel for the first time since he took office in 2009, President Obama intends to convey a message that he cares about Israel and will do whatever is necessary to protect its people from enemies, Mark Landler and Jodi Rudoren write. On Thursday, Mr. Obama is scheduled to meet with the president of the Palestinian Authority before giving a speech in Jerusalem that will address the need for a renewed peace effort.
A push to revive a ban on assault weapons that never really had a chance of becoming law ended Wednesday after Senate Democrats left the ban out of a gun bill that the Senate will consider in April. Jennifer Steinhauer explains how and why legislation requiring background checks has supplanted the assault weapons ban.
The next fiscal fight has already begun taking shape in the House, where lawmakers began debating the 2014 budget after the Senate followed the House in approving legislation to keep the government operating through Sept. 30. Jeremy W. Peters and Jonathan Weisman describe a scene of partisan political theater as lawmakers put on display their “irreconcilable views†on “economics, public spending and the role of government.â€
Matthew L. Wald looks at how Congress is beginning to weigh how to regulate the use of drones by governments, people and corporations in the United States, as the Federal Aviation Administration prepares to issue rules for commercial use of drones and as prices for the aircraft drop.
Senators Rand Paul of Kentucky and Marco Rubio of Florida might seem like natural allies. But Jonathan Weisman writes that the lure of the White House in 2016 has the two not-so-subtly competing for the spotlight.
Young conservatives who oppose same-sex marriage are trying to shift the political story line to favoring traditional marriage. Ashley Parker writes that the Supreme Court’s pending rulings on same-sex marriage cases this term are part of what young conservatives see as a fight that will be decades in the making.
Happening in Washington:
At 8 a.m., the House Steel Caucus and the Congressional Shipbuilding Caucus are separately holding breakfasts for lawmakers and industry executives.
Economic reports due Thursday include weekly jobless claims at 8:30 a.m., followed at 10 a.m. by leading indicators for February, last month’s existing home sales, and weekly mortgage rates.
At 10, senators on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee will meet to consider Sally Jewell’s nomination to be the next interior secretary.
When the House convenes at 9 a.m., members are expected to take up and pass the Republican budget proposal.
Also at 9 a.m., a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee will examine the threat posed by cyberattacks.
At 10 a.m., military officials will update the House Armed Services Committee on efforts to prevent suicide among soldiers.
