World/Nation Briefs March 13, 2013

Ryan budget goes after Obama programs

WASHINGTON - House Republicans redoubled their efforts to roll back signature accomplishments of President Barack Obama on Tuesday, offering a slashing budget plan that would repeal new health care subsidies and cut spending across a wide swath of programs dear to Obama and his Democratic allies.

The GOP plan was immediately rejected by the White House as an approach that "just doesn't add up" and would harm America's middle class. Obama said the plan would "slash deeply" into programs such as Medicaid.

Obama has rebuffed similar GOP plans two years in a row and ran strongly against the ideas when winning re-election last year - when its chief author, Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., was on the Republican ticket.

Judge enters not guilty plea on shooter's behalf

CENTENNIAL, Colo. - A bearded and bushy-haired James Holmes sat quietly as a packed courtroom waited Tuesday for a plea that could help shed light on a deadly shooting rampage he is accused of going on in a crowded Colorado movie theater last summer.

Instead, his lawyers told the judge they weren't ready to enter a plea - despite numerous delays since the July 20 attack that killed 12 people and injured 70 at a midnight showing of "The Dark Knight Rises."

A barely audible gasp rose from dozens of family members and victims.

Gun background check bill clears Senate panel

WASHINGTON - Democrats gave a boost Tuesday to the pillar of President Barack Obama's plans for reducing gun violence, pushing a bill requiring nearly universal federal background checks for firearms buyers through the Senate Judiciary Committee over solid Republican opposition.

The proposal still faces a difficult path through Congress, where GOP lawmakers say it would have little impact on crime and warn that it is a precursor to a federal registry of gun owners. Such a listing is forbidden by federal law and is anathema to conservatives and the National Rifle Association.

The committee approved the bill 10-8, supported by every Democrat and opposed by all Republicans.

- Associated Press