John Boehner's big bet  —  House Speaker John Boehner has dug in.  —  If the let-the-cuts-happen approach on the sequester seems risky — especially with President Barack Obama blaming Republicans for everything from kids not getting vaccines to long lines at the airport — the alternative for Boehner is worse.

Boehner tells Senate to ‘get off their ass,’ pass sequester bill  —  A salty Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) on Tuesday told members of the Senate to “get off their ass” and pass a bill to replace the $85 billion in across-the-board spending cuts that will kick in on March 1.  —  “We have moved a bill in the House twice.

I don't understand the Republican position on the sequester  —  What's the plan?  (Reuters/Jonathan Ernst)  —  As I understand it, the GOP has five basic goals in the budget talks:  —  1) Cut the deficit.  —  2) Cut entitlement spending.  —  3) Protect defense spending, and possibly even increase it.

Ron Johnson: John Boehner Would Lose Speakership If He Caves On Taxes To Avert Sequester  —  Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) would lose his speakership if he agrees to new tax revenues to avert the across-the-board spending cuts that are set to kick in on March 1.

Nikki Haley slams Washington after meeting with Obama  —  During President Barack Obama's meeting with U.S. governors at the White House Monday, the president dismissed members of the press to hold a private, hourlong discussion with the visiting state executives.