Florida Gov. Rick Scott proposes expansion of Medicaid to add 1 million uninsured  —  TALLAHASSEE Gov. Rick Scott announced Wednesday a proposed three-year expansion of Florida's Medicaid program — enrolling an additional one million poor and disabled Floridians beginning next year …

The GOP's astonishingly bad message on sequester cuts … In a Wall Street Journal op-ed Wednesday, House Speaker John Boehner describes the upcoming sequester as a policy “that threatens U.S. national security, thousands of jobs and more.”  —  Which leads to the question …

Ex-Sen. Domenici discloses son born in secrecy  —  Former New Mexico Sen. Pete Domenici told the Journal on Tuesday he fathered a son outside of his marriage over 30 years ago, revealing a secret kept for decades.  —  Statements given to the Journal by Domenici and the son's mother …

Stuff gets in the way  —  Why would a couple risk so much — respect and even their freedom — for furs, furniture and a fedora?  —  This was the question that came to my mind when I read the federal charges against Jesse L. Jackson Jr., the former congressman from Illinois.

Ted Cruz a Lifeline for the Conservative Party?  —  HOUSTON — Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is one of the few Republicans these days described as a potential “rock star” for the party.  As a freshman, he is already starting to shake things up in Washington.  —  So, what makes this Lone Star lawmaker tick?

Romney to Speak at CPAC  —  Former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney will appear at the Conservative Political Action Conference next month, according to two sources familiar with the event's itinerary.  Romney's speech, which will be delivered at the Gaylord National hotel …

Obama Rated at 3-Year High in Poll, Republicans at Bottom  —  President Barack Obama enters the latest budget showdown with Congress with his highest job- approval rating in three years and public support for his economic message, while his Republican opponents' popularity stands at a record low.

The More Things Change ...  Despite spending a lot of time reading and thinking about the Voting Rights Act case the Supreme Court will hear next week, there's a puzzle I'm still trying to crack:  —  How can it be that one of the crowning achievements of the civil rights movement …

State reps propose repealing 17th Amendment  —  The 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was adopted on May 31, 1913, and provided for the direct election of U.S. Senators by popular vote.  —  Now, 100 years later, a group of Georgia state representatives would like to repeal the 17th Amendment …

Ashley Judd meets with DSCC  —  Actress Ashley Judd privately met with officials at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in Washington earlier this week, as she continues to weigh whether to mount a Senate run against Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, according to two sources familiar with the session.

The GOP star you've never heard of  —  You haven't seen a YouTube video of Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam berating a constituent at a town hall meeting.  You probably haven't watched him on Fox News.  In fact, if you search the headlines for his name, you're just as likely to turn up coverage of his brother …

Majority of U.S. citizens say illegal immigrants should be deported  —  (Reuters) - More than half of U.S. citizens believe that most or all of the country's 11 million illegal immigrants should be deported, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Wednesday that highlights …

Soledad headed out at CNN  —  High-profile morning anchor Soledad O'Brien is on her way out at CNN as new boss Jeff Zucker moves Erin Burnett into her morning slot, Page Six has exclusively learned.  —  We're told award-winning journalist O'Brien has indicated she is ready to leave …

Schumer: Chuck Hagel ‘almost had tears’ in meeting  —  New York Sen. Chuck Schumer said Wednesday that Chuck Hagel “almost had tears in his eyes” as he explained to the former Nebraska senator that the expression “Jewish lobby” is rooted in a negative depiction of Jews.

First on EWN: Pistorius cop facing ‘drunken’ shooting charges  —  JOHANNESBURG - Eyewitness News has learnt that the investigating officer in Oscar Pistorius' criminal case is in fact facing seven counts of attempted murder.  —  The charges are related to a shooting incident which occurred …

Conservative News Outlets Cite Fake Group in Opposition to Hagel  —  A couple of weeks ago, the conservative Web site Breitbart.com reported that former Senator Chuck Hagel had received financing from a group called “Friends of Hamas.”  —  “Senate sources told Breitbart News exclusively …

Pentagon informs Congress of plans to furlough 800K civilian workers  —  The Pentagon notified Congress on Wednesday it will be furloughing its civilian workforce of 800,000 employees if sequestration goes into effect March 1.  —  Defense officials have warned lawmakers that sequestration …