The Early Word: Rise and Fall

Today’s Times

• Christine Jordan Sexton and Lizette Alvarez chronicle the political rise and fall of Jennifer Carroll, who resigned last week as Florida’s lieutenant governor after being questioned by state law enforcement officials on accusations of illegal gambling, fraud and racketeering.

• A bipartisan group of senators is working on a proposal that would decrease the amount of time it takes to become a naturalized citizen, but would increase the wait for a green card, Michael D. Shear and Ashley Parker report. The two waiting periods would provide the nation’s illegal immigrants with a path to citizenship in 13 years, matching the draft of a plan previously offered by President Obama.

identical to the one that their party lost with in November, with no regrets and few efforts to reframe it, Jonathan Weisman writes.

Around the Web

• The Republican National Committee is planning to spend $10 million this year in an effort to court minority voters, The Hill reports.

• The battle is heating up between university officials in Chicago and Hawaii over the location of an Obama presidential library, Politico reports.

Happenings in Washington

• President Obama will deliver remarks at the Women’s History Month reception in the East Room of the White House. Michelle Obama also will attend.