BET Wire: A Weekly Political Roundup — Guns, Immigration, Budget

New week, same issues: guns, immigration, economy.

In Case You Missed It - Republicans leave President Obama scratching his head; Ben Carson kind of blames the spread of measles on immigrants; one lawmaker thinks it's OK if your food service worker doesn't wash his hands after a bathroom break — and more. — Joyce Jones (@BETpolitichick)

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In Case You Missed It - The White House released photographic evidence that President Obama does indeed skeet shoot, and now there's an action figure of him in action. Congressional Black Caucus members unveil their to-do list and speak out on the federal budget, guns and immigration, and more. — Joyce Jones

Ready, Aim ... - To silence the nonbelievers, the White House released a photo of Obama skeet shooting at the presidential retreat Camp David.   (Photo: AP Photo/The White House, Pete Souza)

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Ready, Aim ... - To silence the nonbelievers, the White House released a photo of Obama skeet shooting at the presidential retreat Camp David. (Photo: AP Photo/The White House, Pete Souza)

Action Figure - The action-figure company Herobuilders has created a skeet-shooting Obama doll. The Obama Skeet Shooting President Action Figure sells for $19.50.  (Photo: Herobuilders)

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Action Figure - The action-figure company Herobuilders has created a skeet-shooting Obama doll. The Obama Skeet Shooting President Action Figure sells for $19.50. (Photo: Herobuilders)

Photo By Photo: Herobuilders

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Let's Make Another Deal - A March 1 deadline is looming on which deep cuts to many domestic programs are set to take effect. Obama wants to pass a short-term bill instead to keep the economy ticking and millions of workers employed. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Karen Bass - California Rep. Karen Bass sits on two key committees, Budget and Foreign Affairs, which may keep her in the spotlight, particularly as lawmakers debate ways to avoid the fiscal cliff. (Photo: karenbass.house.gov)

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Second That - California Rep. Karen Bass applauded Obama's plan to avoid sequester. “It’s been said the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting a different result," she said. "Time will tell if my Republican colleagues will join [Democrats' balanced approach] or insist on more gimmicks that only create economic uncertainty and hurt job growth.” (Photo: karenbass.house.gov)

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He's Out - Illinois state Sen. Napoleon Harris has withdrawn from the race to fill the congressional seat vacated by former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and is endorsing former state Rep. Robin Kelly. A primary election will be held on Feb. 26.  (Photo: Napoleon Harris/Facebook)

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He's Out - Illinois state Sen. Napoleon Harris has withdrawn from the race to fill the congressional seat vacated by former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and is endorsing former state Rep. Robin Kelly. A primary election will be held on Feb. 26. (Photo: Napoleon Harris/Facebook)

Photo By Photo: Napoleon Harris/Facebook

Sen. Not - Tagg Romney, son of former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, disappointed supporters this week with the news that he will not run to fill Secretary of State John Kerry's old Senate seat. Though it would be an honor, he said, "the timing is not right."   (Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

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Sen. Not - Tagg Romney, son of former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, disappointed supporters this week with the news that he will not run to fill Secretary of State John Kerry's old Senate seat. Though it would be an honor, he said, "the timing is not right."  (Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

The New Guy - William "Mo" Cowan, who is temporarily filling Kerry's seat, will be sworn in by Vice President Joe Biden on Feb. 7. (Photo: AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

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The New Guy - William "Mo" Cowan, who is temporarily filling Kerry's seat, will be sworn in by Vice President Joe Biden on Feb. 7. (Photo: AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

True Denial - Former congressman Allen West has moved on from his loss to explore new horizons. True the Vote has not. The tea party-infused "voter integrity" group is suing St. Lucie County, Florida, for a "comprehensive audit" of the vote results.   (Photo: AP Photo/Harry Hamburg, File)

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True Denial - Former congressman Allen West has moved on from his loss to explore new horizons. True the Vote has not. The tea party-infused "voter integrity" group is suing St. Lucie County, Florida, for a "comprehensive audit" of the vote results. (Photo: AP Photo/Harry Hamburg, File)

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Idle Hands - While most so-called mature adults were grabbing a beer or Super Bowl snack during breaks in the big game, former South Carolina GOP executive director Todd Kincannon was typing racist tweets. Some of them bashed slain teen Trayvon Martin, who Kincannon later labeled a "thug" in defense of his tweets. (Photo: Rep. Todd Kincannon/Facebook)

Photo By Photo: Rep. Todd Kincannon/Facebook

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Do Tell - The Pentagon is expected soon to propose extending some benefits to same-sex military spouses. "The department is conducting a deliberative and comprehensive review of the possibility of extending eligibility for benefits, when legally permitted, to same-sex domestic partners," a spokesperson said.(Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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Do Tell - The Pentagon is expected soon to propose extending some benefits to same-sex military spouses. "The department is conducting a deliberative and comprehensive review of the possibility of extending eligibility for benefits, when legally permitted, to same-sex domestic partners," a spokesperson said.(Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

A Black Thing, Too - Freshman Reps. Hakeem Jeffries (New York) and Steven Horsford (Nevada) moderated a special hour of debate on immigration on the House floor Feb. 4. They and several other Congressional Black Caucus members noted that immigration reform isn't just a Latino issue.  (Photo: C-SPAN)

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A Black Thing, Too - Freshman Reps. Hakeem Jeffries (New York) and Steven Horsford (Nevada) moderated a special hour of debate on immigration on the House floor Feb. 4. They and several other Congressional Black Caucus members noted that immigration reform isn't just a Latino issue. (Photo: C-SPAN)

Transportation Bill - "Our infrastructure is crumbling and everybody knows that. Democrats and Republicans are going to be almost forced by our constituents to come together on a decent transportation bill," said Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings, adding that the legislation also would create many jobs. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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A Bite Out of Crime - Rep. Elijah Cummings and a bipartisan group of lawmakers have introduced a bill that would make buying a gun for someone prohibited from owning firearms a federal crime. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Can't Beat 'Em? - House Republicans held a Judiciary Committee hearing on immigration reform a week after a bipartisan group of senators unveiled their plan. Speaker John Boehner applauded their effort, but told reporters that reform is “not a race. It's about trying to get it right.”(Photo: AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

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Can't Beat 'Em? - House Republicans held a Judiciary Committee hearing on immigration reform a week after a bipartisan group of senators unveiled their plan. Speaker John Boehner applauded their effort, but told reporters that reform is “not a race. It's about trying to get it right.”(Photo: AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

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CBC To-Do List - The Congressional Black Caucus has settled on its priorities for the 113th session of Congress: voting rights, jobs and immigration reform. (Photo: Courtesy of Congressional Black Caucus Foundation via Facebook)