Beyonce and Jay-Z's controversial trip
Superstar couple Beyonce and Jay-Z are drawing scrutiny for vacationing in Cuba to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary. U.S. law prohibits citizens from traveling there for tourism.
Two conservative Cuban-American members of Congress are asking U.S. Treasury officials to look into whether the couple had the proper paperwork.
"I'm not saying that they should be politicians, but be sensitive to the cruelty of this regime, what they've done to the people of Cuba. It's just a shame to make it look like an exotic vacation, shameful," said Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.
Cuban-American Florida Senator Marco Rubio also weighed in on Twitter. In a lengthier statement, he criticized the Obama administration's updated policy that allows for visiting Cuba as part of the "people to people" program.
Biden to suggest background check change
Jim Acosta reports on the recommendations Vice President Biden's task force to curb gun violence is expected to give to President Obama next week.
KTH: Gun provision in Obamacare
CNN's Jim Acosta reports on a little-known measure in the 2010 Affordable Care Act that restricts doctors from collecting data about their patients’ gun use. The provision is entitled "Protection of Second Amendment Rights" and the language was pushed by the National Rifle Association.
It was Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid who included it in the health care bill. One Democratic source says it was a way to appease the powerful gun lobby and was seen as a "benign way to make sure the NRA didn't get involved."
Reid has a history of supporting second amendment rights and courting gun owners in his home state, Nevada. The Senator's staff told Acosta that his views on gun control are changing and differ from his beliefs when the legislation was passed.
Political campaign staffs vs. the press
CNN's Jim Acosta describes the sometimes tense relationship between candidates' staffs and the press traveling with them.
Will Perry answer the 'call'?
Austin, TX (CNN) – Rick Perry may have gotten the sign he's been waiting for.
Standing on the sidelines in the race for 2012, the Texas governor on Monday visited a video game manufacturer in Austin where designers came up with a unique way to get the potential Republican candidate on the playing field.
On a jumbo screen inside the offices of a division of EA Sports, a scene from one of the company's popular college football video game was playing out, featuring Perry as quarterback for his alma-mater, Texas A&M.
In the scene, Perry throws a touchdown before a stadium full of cheering fans.
As Perry left the room, a reporter shouted, "hey Governor, are you in the game?"
It was a reference to EA's catch-phrase "if it's in the game, it's in the game."
The Governor did not respond and hustled off the stage.
It won't be that easy in the full contact sport of Presidential politics.
Over the weekend, Perry stoked more speculation about his future plans after telling the DesMoines Register in an interview that he felt "called" to run.
"This is what America needs," Perry said in the interview.
FULL STORY on the CNN Political TickerRaw Politics: Marcus Bachmann, clinic in spotlight
Editor's note: CNN's Jim Acosta reports on the controversy surrounding a clinic run by Michele Bachmann's husband.
Video: Ex-patient on Bachmann clinic's therapy
Editor's note: Jim Acosta reports on a controversial therapy provided at a clinic run by the husband of GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann.
Related: Questions raised about Bachmann clinic
Related on the CNN Political Ticker: What's going on at the Bachmann clinic?
