Terror plot, Snowden dominate the news
(CBS News) - "I must say that this is probably one the most specific and credible threats I've seen since 9/11," said Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, Sunday on Face the Nation, referring to the terror threats facing U.S. diplomatic posts in the Middle East. The chair of the Homeland Security Committee argued that the decision to close 21 U.S. embassies in the region was a "very smart call, particularly in light of what happened in Benghazi when warnings were not heeded in that case." McCaul's take on the severity of the threat was picked up by The National Review, NPR, and The Los Angeles Times.
Sen. Chuck Schumer, appearing later in the program, said the U.S.'s handling of this weekend's terror plot emphasizes the importance of the National Security Agency's capacity to "listen in and hear what's going on."
"I think what today shows, of course, is that security is very, very important and that the agencies in charge are darn good," he said.
Schumer also weighed in on Russia's decision to grant temporary political asylum to NSA leaker Edward Snowden.
"The relationship between the United States and Russia is more poisonous than at any time since the Cold War because of all of this," he explained. Sen. Schumer advised President Obama to cancel his bilateral meeting with Putin next month.
"I would also urge the President to try to urge our allies, if it were possible, to move the G-20 Summit away from St. Petersburg," he told host Bob Schieffer.
"President Putin's behaving like a schoolyard bully, and in my experience, I've learned, unless you stand up to that bully, they ask for more and more and more."
Sen. Schumer's characterization of the Russian President made headlines Sunday at Reuters, Politico, The Washington Post, Newsmax and Capital New York. You can also read more about our conversation with Sen. Schumer at The Washington Times.
"For once, Bob, I agree with Chuck Schumer on that," said Rep. Paul Ryan, appearing later in the program.
"I think President Putin thinks he can get away with pushing around this administration because the administration has given sort of appeasement feelings that they can do this," explained Ryan.
Turning to issues in the House of Representatives, Ryan explained that there are more "more effective ways" to repeal Obamacare than a government shutdown.
"I think there's going to be a better strategy to actually achieve our goal of ultimately delaying and ultimately replacing Obamacare," he told host Bob Schieffer.
You can read more about what Rep. Ryan had to say on President Obama's signature healthcare law at Reuters, Politico, United Press International, Newsmax and Mediaite.
Ryan also reiterated that House wouldn't adopt the immigration bill passed in the Senate last month.
"What we're going to do is take a step-by-step approach to get immigration right -- not a big, massive bill, but separate bills so people know what's in these bills." The Washington Post has more on what Ryan's comments mean for the road to an immigration reform bill in the House.
