The Senate rejected a farm bill amendment that would have clarified that states have the right to label genetically engineered (GE) food.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) introduced the amendment, which failed on a 27-71 vote — the amendment was held to a 60-vote threshold.

Dan Bartlett, a former senior aide to President George W. Bush, is joining Wal-Mart.

Starting in late June, Bartlett will be executive vice president of corporate affairs for the retail giant.

He will serve as a member of the company’s executive council and report to Wal-Mart CEO and president Mike Duke.

“Dan’s personal integrity, strong professional skills and broad understanding of world affairs make him the ideal leader to continue moving us forward,” Duke said in a statement.

Jobless claims took another steep drop last week, reflecting a healthier labor market.

Applications for unemployment benefits fell by 23,000 last week, to a seasonally adjusted 340,000, an indication that businesses are laying off fewer workers, the Labor Department said Thursday. 

The four-week moving average, a less volatile gauge that better measures the direction of the job market, dropped by 500 to to 339,500. 

White House staff made concerted effort to shield Obama on IRS matter. Read more...

“It’s pretty inconceivable to me that the president wouldn’t know,” Boehner told Fox News’s Greta Van Susteren.

THURSDAY'S BIG STORY:

Let's talk Commerce: A Senate panel will talk on Thursday with President Obama's nominee to lead the Commerce Department.

Penny Pritzker, the billionaire Chicago businesswoman, faces her first hurdle toward confirmation at the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee to discuss a broad swath of issues, from creating jobs and increasing exports to manufacturing and weather forecasting.

Pritzker has garnered broad support from Democrats and groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Business Roundtable. 

Her home-state senators — Democrat Dick Durbin and Republican Mark Kirk — are expected to introduce her at the hearing. 

“I believe that, based on her extensive experience in business, she will put jobs and economic growth first,” Kirk said this week. 

While she could face tough questioning, there is a general sense that her nomination might gain enough support to clear the Senate. The agency has been without a permanent head for nearly a year. 

Read more...

President Obama's pick for the budget office's second in command sailed through a Senate committee vote, clearing the way for his consideration by the full body.

Brian Deese, currently the National Economic Council deputy director, passed through the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee by a voice vote on Wednesday afternoon.

If confirmed, he will become the deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Rep. Issa said he's looking into recalling the IRS official who pleaded the Fifth on Wednesday.

The Senate rejected a farm bill amendment that would have reformed the U.S. sugar program.

Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) introduced an amendment that would have reformed the subsidies and import restrictions on sugar within the United States. The amendment failed on a 45-54 vote Wednesday.