Giffords and Kelly: Fighting gun violence  —  Our new campaign will launch a national dialogue and raise funds to counter influence of the gun lobby.  —  STORY HIGHLIGHTS  — The children of Sandy Hook deserve our efforts to stop gun violence.  —  In response to a horrific series …

Obama's CIA nominee to face tough questions about ‘enhanced interrogation’  —  President Obama's pick to head the CIA could face a rough road to confirmation in the Senate due to his involvement in the “enhanced interrogation” techniques of the George W. Bush administration.

Exclusive: Hagel says critics distort his views on Israel, Iran  —  Chuck Hagel said Monday an accurate assessment of his record will demonstrate “unequivocal, total support for Israel” and endorsement of tough international economic sanctions against Iran.  —  Critics have “completely distorted” …

Fast-Food Worker Hours Cut, New Health Care Law Blamed  —  A fast-food chain is slashing employee hours so franchise owners don't have to pay health benefits.  Around 100 local Wendy's workers have learned their hours are being cut.  A spokesperson says a new health care law is to blame.

'Don't ask, don't tell' dischargees to receive full back pay from DOD  —  In a landmark settlement, the Pentagon has agreed to give full back pay to U.S. service members who were discharged due to their sexual orientation under the military's “Don't ask, don't tell” policy.

State Rep. DebraLee Hovey to Gabby Giffords: Stay Out  —  State Rep. DebraLee Hovey, who represents Newtown and Monroe, posted this on her public FB page.  From Florida.  (Note: Hovey removed the post from her public Facebook page on Sunday afternoon).  —  Giffords visited local officials …

Dick Cheney Apparently Didn't Mind The Term “Jewish Lobby”  —  When Cheney was Secretary, the Defense Department published a pamphlet using the phrase Hagel has gotten in trouble for uttering.  It also instructed soldiers to downplay America's alliance with Israel.  —  Source: imgc.allpostersimages.com

Watchdog to Set Loan Rules  —  The federal government's consumer watchdog plans to unveil new home-lending rules, potentially reshaping the U.S. mortgage market by ushering in more standardization and preventing a return of the exotic loans that powered the housing bubble.

New Jersey Senate President: Christie May Have ‘Prayed’ For Sandy To Come  —  TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) — New Jersey Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) said Monday that Gov. Chris Christie might have “prayed” for Superstorm Sandy, because it has provided cover for what Sweeney …

Score begins weekly editions for 2013—NRCC tweaks Dems on $1 trillion coin—McDonald taps McCleary for NYC mayoral campaign—Frank angles for Mass. Senate appointment—Corbett approval rating stays l  —  (eschultheis@politico.com; Twitter: @emilyrs) and (jhohmann@politico.com; Twitter: @jameshohmann)

Hugo Chavez Hit By Cuba's Surgical Strike  —  Americas: Venezuela's Hugo Chavez is dying of cancer in Havana, in a live demonstration of Cuba's vaunted socialized medical care.  He went there instead of Brazil because he wanted to make a political statement.  What irony.

Politico Lays Off Staffers Amid Restructuring … REACT:  —  FOLLOW:  —  Jim VandeHei, John Harris, Dave Catanese, Jay Westcott, Jess Kamen, Politico, Politico Cult, Politico Cutbacks, Politico Layoffs, Calderone: The Backstory, Media News  —  Editor-in-chief John Harris and executive editor Jim VandeHei

Just 8% Now Say They Are Tea Party Members  —  Views of the Tea Party movement are at their lowest point ever, with voters for the first time evenly divided when asked to match the views of the average Tea Party member against those of the average member of Congress.

Energy Department, EPA nominations may be on tap  —  Now that President Obama has proposed new national security Cabinet members, the White House may be able to move to the Energy Department and Environmental Protection Agency.  —  Obama's energy team is going to be remade just like his national security …

Obama Viewed as Fiscal Cliff Victor; Legislation Gets Lukewarm Reception  —  OVERVIEW  —  Barack Obama is viewed as the clear political winner in the fiscal cliff negotiations, but the legislation itself gets only a lukewarm reception from the public: As many disapprove as approve …