Despite tough talk from self-proclaimed fiscal conservatives in the United States House of Representatives on out-of-control government spending, House Republicans passed a bill that permits the president a three-month hike in the $16.4 trillion debt ceiling. The vote on measure passed 285 to 144, with more Democrats voting against it than Republicans. The agreement has provoked anger from conservatives who believe the GOP has failed to maintain fiscal conservatism by caving on the debt ceiling, however temporary, without securing any budget cuts.

According to the New York Times, President Obama will discuss during his State of the Union address on Feb. 12 his plans to reform the U.S. immigration system, including a path to citizenship for illegals in the country.

While Vice President Joe Biden has been conducting a week of meetings on efforts to curb gun violence that seemed to be focused on nothing but more gun control, President Obama has signed a law that ensures lifetime protection for himself and his family, as well as the safety of future presidents.

President Obama announced Thursday that his choice for treasury secretary to replace Timothy Geithner is White House Chief of Staff Jack Lew.

New York Democratic Representative José Serrano is once again proposing a constitutional amendment to end presidential term limits after 15 years of attempts to pass the measure, which would repeal the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution.

The tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, on December 14 has proven to be a reference point for opponents of the Second Amendment to once again propose anti-gun legislation. However, reports from the Federal Bureau of Investigation indicate that the focus on rifles is misguided. In fact, according to the FBI, more hammers, clubs, and blunt objects are involved in murders than rifles or shotguns.

In an effort to restore some sense of normalcy after the shootings last month at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, school officials have found a building in the nearby town of Monroe where the surviving students will resume classes Thursday. Today is an open house for the families to tour the new facility, the former Chalk Hil School.

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson has announced her resignation after four years at the EPA. Her tenure was marked by controversial policies involving a number of high-profile issues including global warming, the Keystone XL pipeline, and emissions controls on coal-fired plants. And recent scrutiny over Jackson’s use of an alias e-mail account has led some to believe that her resignation was inevitable.

Released on Christmas Day, Les Misérables is a powerful, engaging musical rendition of Victor Hugo’s classic novel of the same name that holds a profound Christian message of love and redemption.

In the wake of last Friday's horrific shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, many Americans are asking how such a traumatic ordeal could have been avoided. Texas state representative-elect Jason Villalba believes that armed security at schools could be the answer, and will file legislation in the Lone Star State to allow certain designated teachers to be armed.