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First Word: Sequester spiral, VAWA passes

The sequester deadline has nearly arrived, and nada. The Senate could vote on two different sequester bills, both of which are expected to fail.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi accompanied by fellow House Democrats at a VAWA news conference on Jan. 23, 2013, (Photo by Jacquelyn Martin/AP)
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi accompanied by fellow House Democrats at a VAWA news conference on Jan. 23, 2013,

The sequester deadline has nearly arrived, and nada. The Senate could vote on two different sequester bills, both of which are expected to fail. The automatic $85 billion in spending cuts are scheduled to kick in on Friday night at midnight unless Congress agrees on a solution.

What did get done in Washington, D.C. today: The House voted to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.

  • House expected to pass Senate version of VAWA
  • Bob Woodward's sequester spat with the White House: A timeline