Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter testifies during his confirmation hearing Feb. 4 before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. If confirmed, Carter will succeed Chuck Hagel as the next Secretary of Defense.

Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter testifies during his confirmation hearing Feb. 4 before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. If confirmed, Carter will succeed Chuck Hagel as the next Secretary of Defense.

The U.S. economy adds 257,000 new jobs in January but the unemployment rate ticks up slightly. The Senate fails to advance a measure to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Democrats continue to block the spending bill that would gut President Barack Obama’s actions on immigration. Secretary of Defense nominee Ashton Carter says he would not speed the release of Guantanamo detainees. Some Democrats may skip Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s scheduled speech to Congress. Jeb Bush addresses income inequality. Hillary Clinton is reportedly delaying the start of her presidential campaign. And politicians defend their stances on vaccinations. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week’s top national news stories.

Guests

  • Gerald Seib Washington bureau chief, The Wall Street Journal.
  • Tamara Keith White House correspondent, NPR.
  • Michael Scherer Washington bureau chief, TIME.

Video: What Politicians Aren't Saying About Vaccinations

After a measles outbreak sickened more than 100 people in 14 states, a number of politicians have spoken out about the disease and protecting people from it.

But by and large, they’re avoiding broader questions about vaccination policy, for measles and for other diseases.

“There are a number of politicians who are very carefully talking about how great vaccines are but they aren’t talking about whether they should be … more mandated or whether personal belief exemptions should be taken away,” NPR’s Tamara Keith said.

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