U.S. Added 192,000 Jobs in February; Rate at 8.9%  —  America's job engine picked up some steam last month.  —  The nation's employers added 192,000 jobs in February, after having added just 63,000 the previous month, the Labor Department reported on Friday.  —  The February number was about what economists had been forecasting.

Statement on SB 116 (Same-Sex Marriage Bill)  —  I have heard from constituents, friends, and advocates from across the spectrum of views and have thought about the issue of same-sex marriage extensively.  I understand their concern—this is a very serious issue, and one that many people feel passionately about.

Presidential hopefuls Huntsman, Romney share Mormonism and belief in themselves  —  IN SALT LAKE CITY — Jon Huntsman Jr. and Mitt Romney go way back.  —  In the Huntsman Corp. headquarters below Red Butte Canyon, Peter Huntsman, the younger brother of Jon Huntsman Jr. …

Newt Gingrich's rough week  —  And so it didn't begin.  —  Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich was supposed to make big news in Atlanta Thursday, announcing a major step toward running for president in 2012.  —  What he announced instead was a website, the oddly named NewtExplore2012.com.

Soldier in Leaks Case Was Jailed Naked, Lawyer Says  —  WASHINGTON — A lawyer for Pfc. Bradley Manning, the Army intelligence analyst accused of leaking secret government files to WikiLeaks, has complained that his client was stripped and left naked in his cell for seven hours on Wednesday.

How to Kill a Recovery  —  The economic news has been better lately.  New claims for unemployment insurance are down; business and consumer surveys suggest solid growth.  We're still near the bottom of a very deep hole, but at least we're climbing.  —  It's too bad that so many people …

Democratic legislators embracing tactic to gain leverage: Fleeing  —  Lawmaking can be a frustrating business, especially when you're outnumbered.  But some Democratic state legislators have recently embraced a simple tool to gain leverage: the empty chair.

White House proposes $6.5 billion more in spending cuts  —  The White House proposed Thursday to trim an additional $6.5 billion from federal programs this year as Vice President Biden opened talks with congressional leaders aimed at funding the government through Sept. 30 and averting a shutdown.

TRENDING: Huckabee's problem with Natalie Portman  —  (CNN) - Mike Huckabee is highlighting what he considers a symbol of degraded American values: Oscar winner Natalie Portman.  —  The former Arkansas governor and possible Republican presidential candidate criticized the actress this week …

Public Broadcasting Should Go Private  —  If these outfits can afford to pay lavish salaries to their heads, they don't need taxpayer help.  —  When presidents of government-funded broadcasting are making more than the president of the United States, it's time to get the government out of public broadcasting.

State says damage to marble at Capitol could hit $7.5 million  —  Madison - State officials said Thursday that damage to the marble inside and out the State Capitol would cost an estimated $7.5 million.  —  Cari Anne Renlund, chief legal counsel for the state Department of Administration …

Agent: I was ordered to let U.S. guns into Mexico  —  ATF agent says “Fast and Furious” program let guns “walk” into hands of Mexican drug cartels with aim of tracking and breaking a big case  —  WASHINGTON - Federal agent John Dodson says what he was asked to do was beyond belief.

GOP Aims to Tame Benefits Programs  —  Boehner Promises Entitlement Review  —  WASHINGTON—House Speaker John Boehner said Thursday that he's determined to offer a budget this spring that curbs Social Security and Medicare, despite the political risks, and that Republicans will try to persuade voters that sacrifices are needed.

Dems tried to recruit ‘Jeopardy!’ champ to challenge Sen. Orrin Hatch  —  Top Senate Democrats sought to recruit Ken Jennings to challenge Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch (R) back in 2004, the “Jeopardy!” contestant revealed Thursday.  —  Jennings is famous for holding the record for consecutive wins on the quiz show.

Sen. Brown: 'Hitler didn't want unions'  —  Washington (CNN)-Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio invoked Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin while sounding off on union battles with state lawmakers in his state and in Wisconsin.  —  “I look back in history, in some of the worst governments that we had …

House Republicans to fine Democrats $250 a day for avoiding votes  —  House Republicans voted Thursday to begin fining Democrats $250 a day for their absence, starting Monday.  —  Democratic representatives have not been on the House floor since Feb. 21, when they walked out to stop a series …

A New Strategy for Wisconsin  —  On February 17, the 14 Democratic members of the Wisconsin senate fled across the state line to the Best Western Clock Tower Resort in Rockford, Ill., the city in which I grew up.  They were denying Republicans a three-fifths quorum on a bill that would restrict public unions in Wisconsin.

Why Washington Doesn't Care About Jobs  —  This article appeared in the March 21, 2011 edition of The Nation.  —  Recommended by  —  Remember when everyone agreed that what the American people wanted from Washington was, in John Boehner's words, a “relentless focus on creating jobs”?