On Sunday, McConnell said Lynch's confirmation "is suffering from the president's actions - there's no question about it."

The Department of Homeland Security appeared headed for a partial shutdown Friday as House leaders failed to garner enough votes to pass a stopgap measure to keep the agency funded for three more weeks.

The U.S. House overwhelmingly approved, 332-94, a two-year bipartisan budget framework Thursday.

The bill would reinstate unemployment benefits that expired Dec. 28 because Congress failed to act before the holiday break.

Senate leaders blocked a vote on President Obama's jobs bill on Thursday.

According to the White House, the president updated the congressmen on the administration's efforts to urge Iraq's leaders to set aside sectarian agendas and bring the country together.

While unlikely to pass the Republican Congress, the budget calls for new tax credits and other initiatives devoted to education, child care, paid leave, and infrastructure, with tax hikes resulting from the closure of certain loopholes.

The senate gathers to reach a Patriot Act compromise before the law expires at midnight on Sunday.