Social Issues

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Flanked by fellow Republican Sens. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire and John Barrasso of Wyoming, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky speaks to reporters Tuesday. "The debate has turned from how much to grow government to how much to reduce it," he said. (Associated Press)

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DEALER: Sen. Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, said, "You can't balance the budget by cutting domestic discretionary spending alone." (Bloomberg)

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Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, with D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray at her side, unleashes another barrage at Republicans and fellow Democrats for tacking on the anti-abortion rider to the federal budget bill. She spoke outside Planned Parenthood's D.C. headquarters. (Drew Angerer/The Washington Times)

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Supporters of Syrian President Bashar Assad raise posters depicting the leader as they protest against pro-reform activists. Pro-government gunmen attacked two villages in a move to crush the uprising against Mr. Assad's regime, witnesses said. (Associated Press)

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**FILE** Sen. Tom Harkin (foreground), Iowa Democrat, joins Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, and other senators at a "Back Off Social Security" rally on Capitol Hill in Washington on March 28, 2011. (Associated Press)

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"The revenues lost to tax havens might have — all by themselves — resolved the [budget] problem," said Sen. Carl Levin. "Whether you, like me, believe the budget cuts proposed by House Republicans are too deep, or whether you are a tea party fan who would use that revenue to fund additional tax cuts, there is no doubt that closing down tax-haven abuse would make a big dent in the problems we face." (Associated Press)

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**FILE** President Obama poses April 8 for photographers in the Blue Room of the White House after speaking on the budget and potential government shutdown that was averted when Republican and Democratic lawmakers reached a deal. (Associated Press)

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Sen. Jeff Sessions, ranking Republican on the Senate Budget Committee, discusses last week's budget deal and the debt ceiling on CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday. He said President Obama must do more than just give a speech he is planning this week. (Associated Press)

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Arjuna Ardagh and Gay Hendricks stand together in a pastoral setting during the opening sequence of their YouTube video, "Dear Women." (YouTube screen grab)

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WHODUNIT?: Crime writer Patricia Cornwell is embroiled in a federal probe of illegal campaign contributions. (Associated Press)

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**FILE** President Obama speaks in the Blue Room of the White House about the budget and averted government shutdown after a deal was made between Republican and Democrat lawmakers on April 8, 2011. (Associated Press)

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Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., gestures while speaking with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, April 8, 2011, to discuss the budget impasse. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

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FILE - Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Howard Koh is shown in this July 13, 2010 file photo taken at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building across from the White House in Washington. In a first-of-its-kind report, the government is recommending steps to reduce the disparities in health care between minority populations and white Americans. The plan being released Friday April 8, 2011 runs the gamut from improving dental care for poor children to tapping "promotoras," savvy community health workers who can help guide their Spanish-speaking neighbors in seeking treatment. But it acknowledges that giving everyone an equal shot at living a healthy life depends on far more than what happens inside a doctor's office _ or steps that federal health officials can take Koh said. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)

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Democratic House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong, right, speaks with Del. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, during debate on a state redistricting plan during a House session at the Capitol, in Richmond, Va., Tuesday, April 5, 2011. The House passed the Republican sponsored plan. (Drew Angerer/The Washington Times)

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Del. David Bulova, D-Fairfax, center, talks with Del. Thomas Greason, R-Loudoun, during debate on the Republican sponsored state redistricting plan, during a House session at the Capitol, in Richmond, Va., Tuesday, April 5, 2011. (Drew Angerer/The Washington Times)