mr. president, that's just a lost leader. >> joining me live from capitol hill is luke russert. do democrats have enough to get the vote passed or is today's exercise just a bit of a practice run, if you will? >> that's a good question, betty, we'll see around 2:00. a state decimated by unemployment, nevada over the last few years but this is really a strategy play by democrats. obviously, a lot of folks on capitol hill believe in restoring unemployment benefits. republicans would like an opportunity to try and craft some of their own language within this bill. democrats countered that by saying, look, we're a. doing something made by republicans that make sure millionaires don't collect unemployment benefits. anyway, with that being said, the strategy here is to pump up income equality. put democrats on the side of the working people. and try and shield anything away

from the health care law which is something that will be problematic in the midterms. now as to what this bill actually looks like, it costs $6.4 billion. the way in which it gets that revenue is something called pension smoothing. it's very complicated. and that's also something that's problematic for some republicans who do it that as one told me, quote, gimmick. even if this does get to the senate around 2:00 p.m. today which is no sure thing it faces an uphill battle in the house of representatives which is more conservative which a lot over there they don't even see the need for unemployment benefits. they disagree with the whole concept of it. they want stricter requirements and whatnot. this is probably round two of a battle that we'll see play out a lot in 2014, betty. but no one knows how it will end. but democrats feel confident in the strategy for the election of

prese 2014. >> a lot at stake today. but what happens if this vote does fail? >> well, what happens if this vote does fail, the 1.7 million people who are not able to collect unemployment since december 28th will continue now to receive those benefits. one thing that's lost in this argument politically is that money has very much of a stimulative effect in the economy. people take this money, they don't horde it. they go out and buy milk, they buy groceries, they buy gas. so there's an argument to be made that plays out in 2014 if these benefits are cut permanently, will you see an economy that lags because of this. and certainly, you won't see that in the first month after unemployment benefits are cut but maybe by june or july if you see the economy lags because these are cut and stimulative

effects are gone may that will see them act. >> with more now, i am joined by dem the californiaic michigan congressman sandra levin. thanks for being with us. >> glad to be with you. >> congressman, harry reid is not allowing republicans to it offer amendments do you think today's vote would have more of a chance if it gave republicans that opportunity? >> he said depends on what the amendments are. but i really want to take a turn from the political focus of this and talk about 1.7 million americans. this is not really about november 2014. this is about lifeline for 1.7 million people who lost their jobs, who are looking for jobs. we asked a person from michigan to come here for the state of the union who's been looking for work. she called us yesterday and said now she has from the mortgage company indication of a for

closure. so there are hundreds of thousands of people like this looking for work. and the question today is not all the processes used before the senate. the republicans asked for an offset, it be paid for. it's going to be paid for. so they need to step up to the plate. it isn't about the november election. it's about 1.7 million people. by the way, every week, another 72,000 people are added to those who have lost every cent of their federal unemployment insurance. it's their lifeline. it's food. it's their home. it's gas so they can keep looking for work. that's really what's at stake here. and i'm hopeful that the republicans will step up to the plate now and provide the five additional votes so this can be brought up for discussion. and then passed. >> well, you make a very good point because 1.7 million

people, those people are the heart of this. but there's a lot on the line. a lot at stake. if this vote does not pass, what is the next course of action? what happens to those 1.7 million people and what are you going to do next? >> we're going to keep on working -- we're talking about, as i said, lifelines. these people are looking for work. the ten people who came with the ten of us who asked them to come and sit in the gallery while the president spoke in the state of the union, they gave us their stories. they're looking for work. the person we asked to come from michigan, she went for two more interviews. she sent out hundreds of resumes. they now send out resumes if they're over 40 or 50 years of age, and they say we'll take out any reference to age. we have the highest level of long-term unemployed and

unemployed in this country, that we've had since the depression. and so, this is for -- people, it's an emergency. >> absolutely. and we want to understand this problem. the problem is very real. but i want to get to the heart of the matter. house republicans have expressed no interest in extending the program. so what specifically are democrats willing to do to push this forward? >> we'll do everything. if the senate will step up to the plate, if the republicans will provide five votes so they'll be closer so they can then act and send it to the house, we will pass this in the house. we will pass this in the house because we're talking about the lives of 1.7 million people. and many of them with their children. somebody told us a story about their kids saying to them, you're looking for work. what's going on here? your lifeline's going to be taken away while you look for

work? you've been off more than six months. you're working hard to find work. and the federal government for the first time is going to say we're going to end this program. we've never done this before. under president bush, we extended the program four or five times without an offset. now we're seeing it will be off-set, it will be paid for. and with the provision that republicans have voted for before. there's no excuse mere. that's not have the american people and their lifeline be tied up into process issues within the u.s. senate and the u.s. house. i say to republicans, and i talk to republican senator yesterday, step up to the plate on this. pass this. it's an emergency. if it comes to the house, i think the american people will say to the house, the will of the american people, all the surveys show this, all of them, the vast majority of the

americans say extend emergency unemployment insurance. >> we will see how that plays out today. congressman levin. thank you for your time. we appreciate it. >> thank you. it is a pay per view event that is leave something people just stunned. george zimmerman acquitted of killing 17-year-old trayvon martin will reportedly step into the boxing ring to fight rapper dmx, does it set a bad precedent? that's ahead. technically, we hit the debt ceiling tomorrow and risk default. republicans say they'll extend it but want something in return. we'll see what they might demand with former governor ed rendell. and take a look at this. live from sochi. there are securities concerns once again we're live in sochi. and that brings us to to today big question, the 2014 olympics, which competition are you most excited to see? weigh in on my twitter and facebook pages. developing now on msnbc, a

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president obama and the first lady attended the annual national prayer breakfast in washington, d.c. this morning. the president issued an international call for human rights, singling out countries he says have fallen short on extending protections and freedoms to all faiths. he also said he's looking forward to meeting the pope next month.

>> he has answered the call of jesus who said follow me. and he inspires us with his wording and deeds in humility and missionary impulse to serve the cause of social justice. >> the president also thanked secretary of state john kerry for his efforts to bring peace to the mideast. all right, with just days until the u.s. maxes out its borrowing authority jack lew has warned congress that the nation will reach its debt limit tomorrow february 7th and that he can only keep paying bills using extraordinary measures. house leader mitch mcconnell and john boehner have made it clear

they're not interested in such increase. joins me ed rendell. thanks for being with us. >> good morning. >> republicans have several options tied to the debt ceiling. the first two reportedly off the table, the keystone pipeline and portions of obamacare. now they're said to be considering reverse cuts, increasing regulatory decision may going, change to so-called doc fix. and he puts it this way, right now, jesus himself could not be the speaker and get 218 republicans behind something. that's been the statement. can boehner get any behind any of these options? >> well, it's going to be very hard. look, if boehner and mcconnell are filing the strategy. it's dumb and dumber. don't they remember what happened the last time they tried to hold the debt ceiling

hostage for an extraneous thing. the american people don't want that. they understand there's a time and place for debates but not when it comes to raising the debt ceiling. on the pipeline, the president in the state of the union said he's for all in energy bill. the president could say, looking i'll consider some of these ideas, i'll meet with you but there's going to be no quid pro quo on raising the debt ceiling. there wasn't for ronald reagan. there wasn't for george w. bush. and there shouldn't be again. the american people won't stand for. >> a recent poll said 54% of americans would blame republicans if the debt ceiling is not raised compared to just 29% who would blame obama. as, listen to this from "the washington post" article. it claims that democrats are in the debt ceiling driver's seat. and that republicans don't want

to pass a clean increase, because, quote, it could enrage the most conservative element of the party to see gop leaders cave so easily. governor, how much impact does this debate have on midterms? >> a greating impact on midterms. right now you have to believe in the conventional political wisdom of all of the problems with the affordable care act. but republicans have to think about three or four month as when they did the debt ceiling and shut down the government and it turned into a fiasco for them that plummeted their chances in the 2014 election. if they do this again, the only beneficiaries of it will be democrats running for office in 2015. >> quickly there's been a lot of back and forth about the cbo numbers have been. as we shift gears here, what do you think is the biggest take-away from that report? >> well, the biggest take-away from that report is people goring to have options. and they're going to have

options so they won't have to continue working just to keep health insurance. that's an important fact are, particularly for people who would like to retire, but they look at it and say if i retire, i'm too young for medicare. i don't have any health care. it's going to bottom me out. so i think there's something to that. look if the republicans have ideas to change the affordable care act. good ideas, not repealing it. good ideas, take it to the president. i accept the president's word that he will listen. >> governor ed rendell, that you ever for your insight. family drama, martin luther king jr.'s children are battling in court over pieces of american history. right now, his daughter bernice is holding a news conference. why she and her two brothers are fighting. that's coming up. >> and i'm kevin tibbles at the olympics in sochi. a new security threat just as the games are set to begin. we'll have a report coming up. so ally bank really has no hidden fees on savings accounts?

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a new security warning ahead of the olympic games in sochi, just hours before the first competitions began. the department of homeland security is warning airlines that recent intelligence suggests terrorists may try to smuggle explosives on to planes bound for russia inside toothpaste tubes. nbc's kevin tibbles is live in sochi with the latest on this. kevin, is this warning affecting carry-on restrictions for passengers? >> reporter: well, there already have been serious carry-on restriction forces anyone come into the sochi games. most people who are traveling in and out of this country, especially if you're transiting through a russian-based airport like moscow, for example, are not being allowed to bring any liquids or jells or aerosols in any of their carry-on bags. while this threat has just come forward today, obviously, the security people here have been watching out for this sort of a

thing. those people transiting through russian airports are not going to be allowed to bring those sorts of things on their carry-on luggage anyway. the concern is very high. the threat level as we've just heard is being discussed everywhere, and for that reason, there is a very high security presence here at the olympic park and at the venues and at the airports tar bringing people into this area, betty. >> let's talk a little bit more about that security. most flights to russia originate outside of the u.s. so how much are they ramping up security there? >> reporter: well, all airports, international airports are already on a certain height alert stage. not only those in the united states, of course many of them in europe, worldwide. i think the days of traveling comfortably when it comes to security are long gone. and when it comes to russia and these games that they're about to hold here, they just do not want to have any problems. security here is very high. security at european airports and elsewhere, like we're used

to in the united states, it's just very high. there's a very visible presence of security. and there are a lot of checkpoints to go through even before you can get on to your plane. >> absolutely. i want to turn to the games because there are 12 new competitions in this year mrshgs. two of them actually began today, correct? >> reporter: yes, the team figure skating has begun. that is something that may be new to people because so many of us are used to the individual events. now much like gymnastics in the summer olympics, they're going to have team events. of course, this new snowboard activity that shaun white unfortunately has had to pull out of but it also got under way up in the mountains today with both the men and the women. i've got to tell you, it is very exciting to watch. these guys and girls fly very high in the sky. >> indeed, we're just looking at video of that. it really does get you excited to see that and a little nervous at the same time.

you know, the opening ceremony is russia's opportunity to make a great first impression to the world. what can we expect with that? >> reporter: well, the rehearsal has been going on all week. they are going on right now behind me here in the stadium. it's supposed to be very hush-hush. aside from the odd echo that you hear coming out of there, it is very hush-hush. just just think of the culture of this place. think of the aeons of culture that have gone into dance, into music, into art. i think that we are going to be seeing a tremendous slice of russia. not judge sochi. because sochi is a very small, relatively new place to a lot of people. but i think that we are really going to be seeing a show tomorrow night, the sights, sounds and all the lights that go with it when it comes to russia. i think vladimir putin is going to be front and center. >> indeed, millions around the word will be watching. nbc's kevin tibbles, thank you for that.

olympics coverage begins tonight at 8:00 eastern on nbc. all right. here's a look at some of the stories topping the news now. there will be no jail time for this texas teen who used affluenza as his defense in a drunk driving crash that actually kid four people. in addition to ten years' probation the judge did send 16-year-old ethan couch to a rehab facility that this parents will be paying for. a doctor treating the castaway who was adrift at sea for more than a year says his health is deteriorating. jose salvador alvarenga thanked the officials from the marshall islands where his boat landed last week. three of the people arrested in connection with the death of philip seymour hoffman appeared in court indicted on drug charges. 57-year-old robert vineberg the

man police believe sold hoffman the lethal dose. espn baseball analyst and former star pitcher curt schilling has been diagnosed with cancer. he announced the news yesterday in a prepared statement. his wife shonda was also diagnosed with stage 2 melanoma in 2001. he did not indicate what type of cancer he has. the works. because when it comes to feeling safe behind the wheel, going the distance and saving at the pump you want it all. get our multi-point inspection with a a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation, brake inspection and more for $29.95 or less. get a complete vehicle checkup. only at your ford dealer. when i'm training, i always listen to music. for the gym, it's hip-hop. for cross-country, classical.

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new hope. still, it's harder than it should be to raise a family... save for retirement. so president obama is urging congress to give america... a raise. his plan raises the minimum wage to ten ten an hour. and requires equal pay for women to boost family incomes. embattled governor chris christie heads to texas on an rga fund-raising tour but can he leave his bridgegate troubles behind? and president obama offers senate democrats an unique strategy for this week's midterms. those are the topics for the addenda panel. managing editor of msnbc.com. thanks ladies for being with us

today, daphne, i want to start with you, chris christie is in dallas today. he's chairing the republic governors association. he's going to be touring lots of states. can he get past this bridge scandal? >> this is what you see happens when you have a governor who is under investigation and who is also ahead of the republican governors association. >> he still has duties to do? >> that's exactly right. he is fund-raising. he had a trip to florida while when the scandal was breaking and the allegations surrounding the way hurricane sandy funds were distributed. and now he's got a scandal that's following him. >> i want to bring you in, there's a post on the blog discussing the theme of republican gofrs that is keeping christie at arm's length. based on reports governor rick perry and lieutenant general greg abbott who is running for

governor will not appear in texas. the same thing happened with governor scott. how bad does this look if it keeps happening to christie? >> certainly isn't good for optics. but putting the distance between themselves and chris christie, smart move right now because so much is in flux. remember, a lot of the christie allegations are in flux. there are certainly a lost allegations, there will be evidence. but until that evidence is surfacend able to be disinfected by sunlight it is just that. right now, it is in fact tactically and strategically speaking smart to stay at a distance but what will need to be seen is what plays out for christie. remember, from here until 2016, we've got two years plus, that means a lot of allegations and so forth can come out for any of the big republicans who's star is rising because of christie's deskrnding star somebody like

rick scott. >> this is at platform for him to try to defend himself if he wanted to? >> he hasn't said much. he was quiet during the super bowl when there was a lot of attention on new jersey and him. you're right, he could have taken the opportunity to address more of what is coming out. subpoenas, who is participating in subpoenas, who is not. but he's been mrout key. he was low key in florida. didn't really talk to reporters didn't have big photo ops with other governors. i think he's playing it quiet. why shouldn't chris christie try and see can he ride it out and see what happens here and how other people and other players and potential presidential candidates may rise and fall during that period. >> let's talk about the other players, viviana, plenty of red state democrats aren't eager to be seen with president obama either. in fact, this. william article reports at

yesterday's senate democrats' retreat the president told democrats, quote, he knew he were not popular in some of the states and he would not be offended if they were not invited to visit them this year. >> a lot of this has to do it depends which race, which state we're talking about. for example in california, president obama is very popular and he's going to do very well, particularly with the constituencies out there. for example, women voter, lbgt voters, as well as latino voters. in louisiana, mary landrieu is probably not going to want to invite president obama and be seen shoulder to shoulder with him. what's going to be interesting how it is going forward, these big issues end up playing themselves out. for example, the rollout of obama care could be incredibly hurtful for mary landrieu. and also immigration.

we see that right now there's a real paralysis on immigration. does it go forward, does it not go forward? we saw this week that labor is calling on the white house to halt deportations. now, if republicans don't overplay their hand, betty, this could be very hurtful for democrats in 2014 and 2016 because the blame will then go to no immigration reform going forward. how can we grant reprieve to these families. that could be very hurtful for somebody like wendy davis in texas. >> dafna, our msnbc first read team reports that, quote, the white house appears to be finally be listening. should we see this as an amending of a reported rift between the president and his party? >> i think that's an important question. and viviana raised good points about races where democrats may be vulnerable and wanting to be sure they are on the same page

as the president going forward in the midterms. the president said voting in the midterms is more important than he thinks voting in a presidential election. i think what is more party that we see a party that is united, a party more successful, that's certainly where the democrats want to be heading into the midterms. >> ladies, thank you. >> thanks, betty. and today's producer pick was a team decision. check it out. ricardo luis, he's a member of the leon valley city council in california. his mustache has been awarded best facial hair in the country. he beat out every other american. in a statement the councilman said with a great mustache comes great responsibility. indeed. he was given the award by law clipper corporation. you can read more about the story by heading to my facebook page. quick look at the weather. nice day, beautiful tomorrow. tomorrow is full of promise.

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over reporters that george zimmerman is set to fight rapper dmx in a, quote, celebrity boxing match next month. thousands as you can imagine have signed a white house petition to stop what it calls an attempt to promote racial tensions in america. the reverend al sharpton the president of the national action network and msnbc host released a statement saying in part, we must be very careful not to glorify or in any wayside step the implications of making someone whose only claim to fame was killing an unarmed young man named trayvon martin into a cultural celebrity or hero. i am concerned about the precedent it sets. joining me now is entertainment writing chris witherspoon. thanks for being with me, chris. a lot of people are going wow, i can't believe this is happening. and then the next question is, why is george zimmerman doing this?

is it for the money, for the fame? why would he want to do this? >> the money is supposed to go quote/unquote to a charity. when you hear the words celebrity boxing match, george zimmerman is being hailed as a celebrity. that's crazy in itself. it's sad and in a lot of ways absurd. >> going to charity, do we know what charity? >> we don't know what charity. i spoke to dana feldman the promoter. he said george zimmerman is all in for this fight. dmx is the person touted for the fight. he hasn't signed a contract but he is indeed going to do the fight. there's a press conference scheduled for next week they're going to cancel that because dmx is not ready to go through the press because he's going through a divorce right now. but they're going to do it in march. the fight is march 13th. >> does george zimmerman know how to box? is dmx going to pummel him?

>> george zimmerman has had subtle training as a hobby of him. that's partially to play devil's advocate why some people would be be happy to see someone like dmx in the ring, dmx is an outrageous personality, he's really somebody who is like a dog without being on leash. he's been arrested 25 times. he has a rap sheet very wrong. i'm not talking music. i'm talking illegal crimes. he's somebodies that pent-up frustration and may get in there and pulverize him. >> is this really a platform for some type it of retaliation? because a lot of folks are very upset with the verdict. he was found not guilty. and could this be a way for us to see that play out that retaliation? and what is the danger in that? we've got to look at this in the whole. >> i think what reverend sharpton said is so view it, we

have to make sure we don't glorify this. and to call george zimmerman now a celebrity for killing an unarmed teen is absurd. and on oprah, it was compared the death to emmitt teal. add spike lee said it's the most outrageous thing that happened in history. hollywood is upset. dmx is putting his life, and putting on a pair of gloves and do this fight. >> i want to show you what michael denzel smith wrote. anyone who pays to see this, we have a cultural problem in this country that allows trayvon's life and death to be turned into a spectacle. is he right? should america be better than this? >> if you watch a lot of tv, we turn events into spectacles into events. i think we have the option.

it's going to be a pay per view fight. i spoke to dana feldman, it will be on the web. so you have an option to not tune in. >> we do want to mention george zimmerman has sued nbcuniversal for defamation and the company has strongly denied his allegations. clay is running for congress. it's time for the "polysidebar." he joined chuck todd to talk about his run for congress as a democrat in north carolina. now, he believes he has a good shot in winning. >> i think at the end of the day, what people want in washington is somebody who they know cares about them. someone they know who listens. the people of this state put me where i am today. they were integral and largely responsible for me to have the platform and the microphone that i have. plus, as jay leno signs off

tonight for the last time, it looks like some of his biggest jokes were aimed at politician. a study from george mason university finds bill clinton was the biggest target of monologue political jokes, 4,607 to be exact. maybe that's one of the reasons why clinton was actually not a guest on the show. some jay's other big targets, george bush, al gore, barack obama and hillary clinton. three house republicans are calling for tax exemptions for american medalists at the sochi games. the united states olympic committee awards u.s. athletes $25,000 for gold. $15,000 for silver, and $10,000 for bronze. the prize money and the medals value are all considered taxable earnings. meanwhile, a controversy over yogurt. yes, yogurt, is brewing at the games. a democratic senator chuck schumer has written to the international olympic committee asking them to allow chobani yogurt into the country for

athletes. it's blocking a shipment of the new york-based yogurt because it doesn't have the proper paperwork. and finally, vice president biden says one reason why he would not run for president, his love of corvettes and fast cars. here he is speaking at the uaw. >> there's a lot of reasons to run for president, there's not one reason not to run for president i'd like to get that z 06 zero to 60 in four seconds. [ male announcer ] that's handy. ♪ [ male announcer ] that's handy. if yand you're talking toevere rheuyour rheumatologistike me, about trying or adding a biologic. this is humira, adalimumab. this is humira working to help relieve my pain. this is humira helping me through the twists and turns. this is humira helping to protect my joints from further damage.

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the estate of martin luther king jr. is asking a judge to force the civil rights icon's daughter to relinquish her father's nobel peace prize and traveling bible. in response, bernice king, the youngest and only living daughter of the late civil rights icon held a press conference just moments ago, defending her rights to the items and not allowing them to be sold. >> this is not simply about me, the baby girl who has grown up

to a woman in her own right. it's really about a righteous cause. it's not about another sibling rivalry. it's about standing on principle. it's important that i am on the right side of history. when the record books are written, let it be said that there was at least one heir who tried to further the legacy left by her father. >> now, this squabble is the latest pitting bernice against her brothers dexter scott king and martin luther king iii. joining me jonathan capehart. hi there, jonathan. >> hi, betty. the siblings have been at odds for decades. what is the latest fight about? >>le yes, they have been at each other's throats for decorates. a lot of it is sibling rivalry but also about the leg gaegs of

the legacy of their great father. what's happening here the brothers contend their sister has violated a previous agreement where they wouldn't spirit away or hide the property of the estate. what bernice king bernice king taken the nobel peace prize and their father's traveling bible because the brothers want to sell them. that's why you saw in the video of the press conference that you saw, that you just showed, a lot of people standing behind her and there are a lot of people around the country who are very upset about the brothers plans. >> is it really about the selling of these pieces of history, if you will, or is there a bigger issue at play here? what is the major sticking point that they just cannot seem to get past? >> if you're going to sell the nobel peace prize and martin luther king's traveling bible, money is the issue here. but i think bernice king is on

to something where she talks about there is a greater cause here on right side of history. a lot of people have said and i tend to agree, that it's just -- those two items, those two artifacts are sacred. they are sacred to their father's memory and sacred to not only the civil rights movement but the history of this country and the idea that those two things would be sold and sold to the highest bidder is something that a lot of people can't get their heads around and don't want to get their heads around because they don't think it should happen. >> if she keeps them, what happens to them? will the public be able to see them? >> well, yes, that is the dig question. and it's unclear. i don't know for certain or for a fact if those two items are even on public display down in atlanta. that i don't know for sure. >> that gets us to a bigger question here, as a result of all of these disputes throughout

the years, what kind of mementos and speeches does the american public not have access to which they might not realize? >> well, the last part of your question there, points to it. we don't know what we don't have access to. the family has been very sort of tight fisted on what it will at a lou out there for public consumption. and that's also sort of played into sort of the jaund is view that a lot of the public has of the king family. the reverend dr. martin luther king is held in very high regard. the late coretta scott king held in very high regard. everyone else after that, very, very low view of them. >> we'll see how this battle plays out. jonathan capehart, thank you so much for joining us. >> thanks, betty. >> more than half a million households are still? the dark after the second powerful winter storm in three days battered a large part of the country from the midwest to

maine. frigid temperatures have increased the use of propane used to heat millions of homes quickly pushing up prices for the fuel. several states, including pennsylvania, new york and new jersey are also searching for more salt and now salt producers say supplies are low and prices are skyrocketing. cnbc's morgan brennan has more. >> reporter: the harsh winter weather now causing a shortage of road salt in the midwest and northeast as cities and towns plow through their salt supplies, we're seeing prices skyrocketing and deliveries getting delayed. new york governor andrew cuomo has called the situation dire and the suburbs outside of chicago have gone through the salt supplies as of the end of january. some places are getting very inventive in iowa where we were this parts of pennsylvania, folks are using sugar beet

molasses and cheese brine. they have gone through 62,000 tons of road salt, 5,000 more tons than the typical winter season. in the northeast they are feeling the pinch as well. in new jersey, 277,000 tons of road salt through the end of january. that's before the two storms this week. that is 19,000 tons more than all of last season combined. still not everybody is feeling the pinch quite so badly. here in new jersey, official have been doing a really good job managing their salt supplies. behind me, 600 tons of pure uncut rock salt. they are waiting on another 400 ton delivery as well. i asked officials here if they would share with their neighbors who were harder hit. and the head of the dpw tells me, maybe. they have to think about it. >> just maybe. morgan, thank you. we asked and got a whole lot of

answers. question, 2014 winter olympics, which competition are you more excited to see? jamie says on facebook, curling, no joke. go usa. >> i like curling too, jamie. rod says slope style should be interesting. that started today. todd says men and women's ice hockey and bobsled and luge. >> pat says ski jumping and half pike. keep the comments coming on twitter or facebook. that wraps things up for me, i'm betty nguyen. my colleague craig melvin picks up after the break. nature lover... people person. ♪ and you put up with it all... because he also booked you a room... at this place. planet earth's number one accomodation site: booking.com booking.yeah!

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awesome privilege and responsibility as president of the united states. >> and man, is it only february? today brings yet another dig out across much of this country. still, some half a million homes without power. and what's that we're hearing? more snow on the way. we have the latest details on the weekend weather plus -- let the games begin. we'll take you live to russia where competition kick starts today and the conversation about security continues. is sochi ready for its close-up? we're all about to find out. first though as nations come together for the 2014 winter olympics, so do political parties in this country for prayer. the national prayer breakfast this morning is the one annual event where a tea party favorite, gome ert, noted you could see a liberal stand to his right in bipartisan accord. in his speech, president obama

made nice with a man who is often one of his most vocal critics. >> i always found louie to be unbelievably gracious. i don't watch tv, i've got to admit. >> one funny moment there from president obama. prayers this morning but politicking this afternoon. the senate plans to stay another crack at extending unemployment benefits this afternoon and there was the raising of the debt ceiling and house speaker john boehner reportedly has convinced many of his fellow republicans and even tea party members to resist the urge to go to battle again over the debt ceiling, even michelle bachmann telling the "washington post," my assessment is that most of us don't think it is the time to fight. instead boehner is focusing on a small deal involving military pensions that he hopes can even attract democrats longer term president obama's poor job approval ratings makes him a