Top Republican Blasts Obama Budget As ‘Shocking Attack On Seniors’  —  Remember those warnings about how instead of welcoming President Obama's adoption of Chained CPI, Republicans would continue to deny him a budget deal and attack him for proposing to cut Social Security?

Grover Norquist: Chained CPI Violates Taxpayer Protection Pledge  —  WASHINGTON — Members of Congress who have pledged never to raise taxes will be breaking their promise if they support changing how the government measures inflation for Social Security and tax purposes.

In Blow To NRA, Senators Reach Bipartisan Agreement Expanding Background Checks  —  A bipartisan duo of senators with A ratings from the National Rifle Associated have reached a deal to expand background checks to private gun purchases that occur in commercial settings.

NRA Says Background Check Compromise Won't Work  —  Sen. Manchin's office said Wednesday morning that the gun lobby was “neutral” on their bill.  But an NRA statement released on the heels of a Manchin press conference says background checks don't work.  [Updated]  —  Senator Joe Manchin (D-WVA)

Howard Students Didn't Totally Hate Rand Paul  —  Paul's speech at the historically black college didn't get a lot of converts, but the students were glad to listen.  —  Image by Aron Heller, FILE / AP  —  WASHINGTON — Senator Rand Paul's speech at Howard University certainly didn't recruit a lot of new Republicans.

Who likes taxes?  Democrats, and no one else.  —  A clear majority of Americans have an unfavorable view of the federal income tax system, according to new Washington Post-ABC News polling.  But, in a somewhat remarkable finding, a majority of Democrats view the tax system in a positive light …

Bachmann Hustled Out Of Press Conference When Asked About Ethics Problems  —  At a joint press conference Tuesday with a Republican state senator from Minnesota, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) was rushed out of the room by aides and shielded from reporters as soon as she was questioned …