McCain says Hagel will be confirmed  —  One of the leading critics of former Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.), President Obama's embattled nominee to become defense secretary, told NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday that Hagel will end up being confirmed.  —  Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) …

GOP Senator Would Take Away Health Coverage From 30 Million Americans To Avoid Military Cuts  —  Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said Sunday the government should protect the Defense Department from automatic spending cuts by slashing $1.2 trillion from the Affordable Care Act.

ABC News Calls Out Paul Ryan For Hypocrisy Over Looming Budget Cuts  —  ABC News' Jonathan Karl confronted Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) over his past support for the sequester, just as the one-time GOP vice presidential candidate sought to blame President Obama for the automatic across-the-board cuts scheduled to go into effect on March 1.

Robin Kelly wins rival Toi Hutchinson's support in Illinois race  —  Illinois congressional candidate Toi Hutchinson dropped out of the special election race for disgraced former Rep. Jesse Jackson's seat on Sunday and endorsed rival Democrat Robin Kelly.  —  Hutchinson's withdrawal means Kelly …

Dozens of pro-Dorner protesters rally at LAPD HQ  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dozens of protesters rallied outside Los Angeles police headquarters Saturday in support of Christopher Dorner, the former LAPD officer and suspected killer of four who died after a shootout and fire this week …

The Real Cost of Shrinking Government  —  In less than two weeks, a cleaver known as the sequester will fall on some of the most important functions of the United States government.  About $85 billion will be cut from discretionary spending over the next seven months, reducing defense programs …

How to Unparalyze Us  —  I WAS struck by one particular moment during President Obama's State of the Union address.  The president proposed a $1 billion investment to build a new National Network for Manufacturing Innovation to spur high-tech manufacturing in America.

Cuomo Bucks Tide With Bill to Ease Abortion Limits  —  ALBANY — Bucking a trend in which states have been seeking to restrict abortion, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo is putting the finishing touches on legislation that would guarantee women in New York the right to late-term abortions when their health is in danger or the fetus is not viable.

The End of a Catholic Moment  —  THE last time the Chair of St. Peter stood vacant, during Pope John Paul II's funeral in 2005, the Roman Catholic Church enjoyed a wave of unusually favorable coverage from the American press.  The Polish pope had a way of disarming even his most stringent critics …

Claim Jihad Seeker's Allowance  —  Choudary urges fanatics to scrounge for holy war  —  In the spotlight ... Anjem Choudary was filmed by The Sun at 3 meetings  —  SCROUNGING hate preacher Anjem Choudary has told fanatics to copy him by going on benefits — urging: “Claim your Jihad Seeker's Allowance.”

McCain: Support for gun checks  —  Sen. John McCain said Sunday he expects there'll be broad support in the Senate for a new bipartisan plan to broaden background checks on gun purchasers.  —  The Arizona Republican pointed to a plan being drafted by Sens. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), Chuck Schumer …

McDonough: Pressure is on Congress to act on immigration reform  —  White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough on Sunday pushed back against criticism over a leaked Obama administration immigration proposal, claiming that the pressure to overhaul the nation's immigration laws was on Congress.