Tech source: We weren't at White House for health care chat
Washington (CNN) - While President Barack Obama and White House aides may have wanted the nation's top tech executives to help dissect their botched health care website, the industry titans themselves had something else in mind: the federal government's vast cybersnooping.
A source familiar with Tuesday's discussion at the White House said several executives at the meeting were frustrated with the White House's focus on HealthCare.gov, because the chiefs came to Washington to voice their concerns on surveillance issues.
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Iowa GOP congressman won't seek re-election
(CNN) - The rule of threes was validated on Tuesday when Iowa Republican Rep. Tom Latham announced he would not seek re-election to his House seat in 2014.
Earlier in the day, Virginia GOP Rep. Frank Wolf and Utah Democratic Rep. Jim Matheson also said they would not run again.
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U.S. delegation to Russian Olympics includes gay athletes
Washington (CNN) – The United States' delegation to the upcoming Winter Olympics in Russia won't include a member of President Barack Obama's family or an active cabinet secretary, but it will include openly gay athletes – a clear jab at Russia's recent anti-gay laws.
Billie Jean King, the tennis legend, will join figure skater Brian Boitano at the games' opening ceremonies on February 7, the White House said Tuesday.
CNN's GUT CHECK for December 17, 2013
CNN's GUT CHECK | for December 17, 2013 | 5 p.m.
– n. a pause to assess the state, progress or condition of the political news cycle
THE RACE FOR THE HOUSE …
Three sitting House members announced their retirements today – presenting opportunities for each party to pick off seats in next year’s midterm elections. Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Virgina, announced he was retiring, as did Rep. Tom Latham, R-Iowa, giving Democrats a shot at winning back these two seats. Meanwhile Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, said he would not seek re-election, presenting a clearer path for Republican challenger Mia Love, who if she wins this seat would make history as the first African-American Republican woman elected to Congress. (Matheson beat Love in 2012 by less than 800 votes.)
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Republican congressman: GOP can seem like 'knuckle-dragging Neanderthals'
(CNN) - Republican Rep. Sean Duffy of Wisconsin indicated his party could adopt a more delicate tone to better communicate its message.
"From my perspective, and I come from a very 50-50 district in central and northern Wisconsin, you have people on our side of the aisle that have a really abrasive tone. We can come across as knuckle-dragging Neanderthals on occasion," Duffy said Tuesday on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."
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Democratic retirement gives GOP prime House pickup opportunity
Updated 4:12 p.m., 12/17/13
(CNN) - In an apparent major setback for House Democrats, longtime Rep. Jim Matheson of Utah announced Tuesday he will not seek re-election next year.
"I take the role of representative seriously and intend to conclude this chapter of my service to our state in the same way I have always approached my job," Matheson wrote in a posting on his Facebook page.
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GOP congressman's retirement could put key district in play
Update 3:53 p.m., 12/17/2013
Washington (CNN) - Virginia Republican Rep. Frank Wolf announced Tuesday that he will not run for re-election in 2014, setting up a competitive race to replace him in the suburbs and exurbs outside Washington, D.C.
Wolf, first elected in 1980 and the dean of the Virginia delegation, said in a written statement that he was grateful to his constituents for his 34 years of service in Congress, but he's decided to focus on other efforts.
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CNN Vote Count: Budget deal has enough Senate support for final passage
Washington (CNN) – The budget deal that passed an important procedural hurdle in the Senate has enough support to win final Congressional approval this week, according to CNN's vote count.
On Tuesday, 67 Senators supported breaking a filibuster and moving towards a final vote – signaling that final passage of the agreement is all but certain.
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Microsoft exec to oversee Obamacare website
New York (CNNMoney) - Tech executive Kurt DelBene, who recently served as president of Microsoft's key Office division, was tapped by the government Tuesday to oversee the continued efforts to fix the troubled Obamacare website.
The move was announced by Kathleen Sebelius, the secretary of Health and Human Services. DelBene has agreed to stay on the job through at least the first half of next year, she said.
FULL STORY Obama wishes Washington was like 'House of Cards'
(CNN) - President Barack Obama said he wishes Washington worked a little more like it does in the Netflix series "House of Cards."
Kicking off a meeting with tech executives at the White House on Tuesday, Obama asked if Netflix's CEO Reed Hastings brought advanced copies of the hit web series, which enters its second season in February and focuses on Kevin Spacey's power-hungry character, Rep. Frank Underwood, as he skillfully maneuvers politics inside the Beltway.
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