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spending, manufacturing activity and economic growth. Automatic government spending cuts, which are starting to kick in, also may be contributing to the current sluggishness and increased wariness on the part of both shoppers and employers.
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First test for new immigration bill as Senate Judiciary Committee holds hearing
• WASHINGTON (AP) -- A far-reaching new immigration bill is getting its first test at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, where opponents of the legislation will be able to face off with its authors.
• The committee includes Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and three other of the eight lawmakers who authored the bill to boost border security, fix legal immigration programs and eventually grant citizenship to some 11 million people here illegally. The panel also includes leading skeptics of the legislation, including Republican Jeff Sessions of Alabama.
• The 844-page legislation was introduced around 2 a.m. Wednesday, so critics say there's been insufficient time to digest it and they've pushed for more hearings and a long process. Friday's hearing will be the first of two the Judiciary Committee is expected to hold on the bill before it begins amending and voting on it next month.
• Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has been invited to testify, and she's sure to face tough questions from Sessions and other Republicans on conditions along the border, which the Obama administration says is more secure than ever.
• Some Republicans disagree and also contend that the immigration bill doesn't do enough to improve border security, even though it requires certain enforcement steps to be taken before any path to citizenship can begin.
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Former Pakistani military ruler says allegations 'politically motivated' following his arrest
• ISLAMABAD (AP) -- Former Pakistani military ruler Pervez Musharraf criticized allegations against him as "politically motivated" Friday, following his arrest in a case involving his decision to fire senior judges while in power.
• Musharraf was arrested a day after he made a dramatic escape from a court in Islamabad on Thursday to avoid being detained. Musharraf fled the Islamabad High Court in a speeding vehicle and holed up in his home on the outskirts of the city af (Continued on page 29)
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