Today’s Times
- President Obama agreed to send small arms and ammunition to Syrian rebel forces, though he made the decision under pressure from advisers, critics and even Bill Clinton, Peter Baker writes. He wanted to be remembered for getting out of Middle East wars, not embarking on new ones.
- Senator John Cornyn, Republican of Texas, has become one of the most polarizing figures on the immigration issue, largely for brandishing a border security plan that he says is meant to salvage the measure but that others say is as an attempt to torpedo a bill he would never support, Ashley Parker reports.
- The search for legislation aimed at curbing sexual assault in the military is being driven by complex competition and the limits of identity politics in a chamber where women’s numbers are increasing, Jennifer Steinhauer reports.
- A federal advisory panel agreed Friday that Congress should immediately cut payments to hospitals for many services that can be provided at much lower cost in doctors’ offices, Robert Pear writes. Hospital clinics could lose 5 percent of their Medicare revenue, but the Medicare program could save $1.8 billion a year.
Weekly Address
- Mr. Obama focused this week’s address on Father’s Day and the support that comes from a strong family. “Being a good parent - whether you’re gay or straight; a foster parent or a grandparents - isn’t easy,†he said. “And I want to do what I can as president to encourage marriage and strong families.â€
