Air and former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. This is the daily rundown. Also developing this morning, news that the economy unexpectedly contracted in the last quarter of 2012. Most of it is a result of weaker expo exports, decreased military spending and other factors. Well be keeping an eye on the markets this morning to see how they react to this. There was an expectation that there would be some slowdown in the economy, but an actual contraction did catch a bunch of analysts off guard. Lets get right to my first reads of the morning. Speaking of the economy and jobs, they continue to be issues. The public says they care most about. But it isnt dominating capitol hill. Does that change today, by the way . But guns and immigration are taking up most of the political oxygen, just about an hour from now. The next phase of the fight begins on the gun issue. Former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords returns to capitol hill two years after she was seriously injured in the mass shooting
Shield program, one that can be individually tailored to make our schools as safe as possible. Its time to throw an immediate blan ket of security around our children. About a third of our schools right now have Armed Security already because it works. And that number is growing every day. Right now state officials local authorities and School Districts in 50 states are considering their own plans to protect children in schools. In addition, we need to enforce the thousands of gun laws already on the books. Prosecuting criminals who misuse firearms works. Unfortunately, we see a dramatic collapse in federal gun prosecutions in recent years. In 2011, federal firearms prosecutions per capita were down 35 from their peak in the previous administration. That means violent felons violent gang members and drug dealers with guns and the mentally ill possess firearms are not being prosecuted. And that is completely and totally unacceptable. More than 76,000 firearms purchased denied by the fed
Im delighted to be here today to talk with all of you about the most Critical Issues we face as a nation. That is the battle for talent. Governor fallin, thank you for your leadership on the ngas initiative on workforce and education and congratulations on the progress you will have made in oklahoma. With your dashboard, you are providing a powerful example of how states can address the disconnect between supply and demand. With ok job match come youre helping show states how to improve the way job seekers are matched to jobs based on skills and competency, not just on job descriptions and resumes. It is leadingedge. I would like to recognize colorado as well for doing a great job with the blueprint that ties together agencies businesses, education and workforce development. That kind of approach will be crucial to attacking the workforce challenges ahead and t is exciting to see the progress being made. I want to wish you a bit further today on the topic of talent and workforce develo
Biden served for two terms as delawares top Law Enforcement official. He announced last year that he would be running for gunfire of delaware in 2016. Beau biden was also a major in the Delaware Army National Guard. He was deployed to iraq back in 2008 and he was awarded the bronze star for his service. On thursday his body lay in honor in delawares legislative hall in the state capital in dover. The biden family including Vice President joe biden, dr. Jill biden, beaus widow halle and their children all of them attended the memorial where state dignitaries spoke about bidens life including the Current Governor of delaware jack markell. Beau made delaware a better place for us all. And he did so because of his determination and his persistence, because of his intellect and his willingness to fight. Because he persuaded and cajoled. And most of all, because beau had an extraordinary heart. And from that heart, he lived a life that is a model for us all. The family received hundreds of m
His captivity as a prisoner of war, he has been through challenges in his life. Hes 80 years old, but everybody who knows him says hes strong as an ox. Obviously he knows how to fight like hell. So really its a unifying thing tonight. Everybody pulling for him. And his mother is still with us. Shes 105 years old. So Life Expectancy is unlimited in the mccain family. 100 . Thank you, rachel. Well, the president of the United States attacked the attorney general of the United States in an interview with the New York Times published tonight. This is something we have never seen before. This leaves the attorney general no choice. He must resign. Attorney general Jeff Sessions gave the New York Times no comment, absolutely no comment. When he was told what the president said to him and the New York Times asked for comment. The president told the New York Times he regrets ainterest poing Jeff Sessions. When a president expresses no confidence in a cabinet member, then that cabinet member owe