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Subscribe to RSSNBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro report on a very busy day in Washington, as a deal is reached on background checks, the president unveils his budget and dines with GOP senators, and immigration legislation could be unveiled as soon as Thursday.
First Read Minute: The risks of intransigence
The Senate is expected to consider gun-regulation legislation this week, after President Obama shamed Republicans who are vowing to filibuster that legislation during his speech in Connecticut on Monday, NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro report.VIDEO: First Read Minute: Fundraiser-in-chief
At one of his first fundraisers for the 2014 election cycle, President Obama told donors he wants House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., to be Speaker of the House once again, NBC's Mark Murray reports.
Edited by NBC's Natalie Cucchiara
VIDEO: First Read Minute: Broad support for gun restrictions; jobs trump deficits
NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro report the majority of Americans support stricter gun laws according to the new Morning Joe/Marist poll. The poll also shows Americans want President Obama and Congress to make job creation their top priority by a 2-to-1 margin.VIDEO: First Read Minute: Background checks are the ballgame on guns
With guns back in the conversation as President Obama holds an event to talk about sensible gun control measures, NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro discuss whether or not Congress will be able to compromise on any gun control measures and immigration reform.VIDEO: First Read Minute: High court struggles with same-sex marriage
With the political focus on gay marriage, abortion and guns, NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro report on the return of the culture wars and discuss the key political players in the Defense of Marriage Act debate.VIDEO: First Read Minute: Same-sex marriage, wedge issue no longer
As the Supreme Court begins two days of oral arguments on the topic of gay marriage, NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro discuss how it has disappeared as a true political issue between the parties, and the notable change in public opinion on the topic over the past several years.VIDEO: First Read Minute: Obama-Netanyahu, is this bromance for real?
The strained relations between President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seem to be a thing of the past. This new bromance proves elections have consequences, and both leaders may realize they need to deal with one another over the next four years, NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro report.VIDEO: First Read Minute: It's the policies, stupid
The 10-year anniversary of the Iraq war highlights how pivotal that war has been in American politics over the past decade. And Republicans are doing some introspection, releasing a report of what went wrong in 2012. But the report is mostly about packaging and not policies, NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro point out.VIDEO: First Read Minute: Iraq comes back
NBC's Mark Murray discusses the political significance of the Iraq War as the conflict's tenth anniversary approaches.
Video edited by NBC's John Bailey.
VIDEO: First Read Minute: Reality check: 'Charm offensives' are overrated
President Obama heads to Capitol Hill to meet with House Republicans, but perhaps too much is made of so-called "charm offensives." The structure and numbers of divided government are far more important. NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro discuss.VIDEO: First Read Minute: Big budget battles
The budget debate continues as President Obama heads to Capitol Hill this week to meet with lawmakers as House Republicans and Senate Democrats are expected to unveil their budgets.