Interior Secretary Kenneth L. Salazar said his department has approved a solar farm in Arizona and a wind farm in Southern California as part of the Obama administration's drive to support renewable energy projects. (Associated Press)
** FILE ** President Barack Obama delivers remarks at the 71st General Assembly of the Union for Reform Judaism, Friday, Dec. 16, 2011, in National Harbor, Md. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
President Obama speaks on Friday, Dec. 16, 2011, during the 71st General Assembly of the Union for Reform Judaism at National Harbor in Oxon Hill. (Associated Press)
'WHIPPING BOY': Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio calls the Justice Department report a politically motivated assault by the Obama administration. (Associated Press)
President Obama speaks in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the campus in Washington on Dec. 15, 2011, where he announced action to provide minimum wage and overtime protections for in-home care workers. (Associated Press)
President Barack Obama and Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
President Obama speaks to returning troops at Fort Bragg, N.C., Wednesday, about the end of the Iraq war with the withdrawal of all U.S. forces at the end of this month. "Our commitment [to you] doesn't end when you take off the uniform," Mr. Obama said. (Associated Press)
HE'S CLEAR: President Obama has said he will veto the bill extending the payroll-tax cut because of its proposed spending cuts and lack of tax hikes on the wealthy. (Associated Press)
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor and fellow Republicans meet with reporters Tuesday before the House voted 234-193 to pass a bill that renews the payroll-tax-cut extension but does not include the tax hikes on the wealthy President Obama wants. The bill also pushes for a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline. (Associated Press)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Despite the continued violence and political uncertainty in Iraq, President Obama thinks the Iraqis are ready to deal with their own national security, a spokesman for the president said Tuesday.
President Barack Obama meets with Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Monday, Dec. 12, 2011. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sen. Carl Levin said he doesn't know if a veto can be overridden, should President Obama go that route regarding the handling of al Qaeda terrorists.
** FILE ** Rep. Jeff Landry, Louisiana Republican, holds a sign during a speech by President Obama to a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
The Obama for America campaign to re-elect President Obama has mastered its official merchandising — including Joe Biden can coolers and Obama-themed gift wrap so popular that it currently is out of stock. (Image from barackobama.com)
The Obama for America campaign to re-elect President Obama has mastered their official merchandising - including Joe Biden can coolers and Obama-themed gift wrap so popular that it is currently out of stock (images from barackobama.com)
President Barack Obama, at center, crosses the field to sit on the Army side during half time in the tied 14-14 Army-Navy game at FedEx Field in Landover, Md. on Dec. 10, 2011. (T.J. Kirkpatrick/ The Washington Times)