<p>In this Feb. 12 photo, President Barack Obama speaks in the East Room of the White House in Washington.</p>
February 21, 2014
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February 21, 2014 8 p.m.
Change of course
Proposed Obama budget to drop benefit cost-of-living trims
WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama will propose an election-year budget that would drop reductions he had previously embraced in federal benefits, officials disclosed Thursday. He also will ask Congress to approve about $56 billion in new or expanded programs, stepping back from aggressive efforts to tackle long-term government deficits and debt.