WASHINGTON--President Barack Obama taped his weekly address--released Saturday--during his Friday visit to Argonne National Lab in the Chicago suburb of Lemont where he outlined a ten year, $2 billion research and development plan to wean the nation's vehicles from oil and gas.

In his Saturday address, Obama recaps his Argonne speech and summarizes how it would be paid for.

"Here's how it would work. Much of our energy is drawn from lands and waters that we, the public, own together. So I'm proposing that we take some of our oil and gas revenues from public lands and put it towards research that will benefit the public, so that we can support American ingenuity without adding a dime to our deficit," Obama said.

"We can support scientists who are designing new engines that are more energy efficient; developing cheaper batteries that go farther on a single charge; and devising new ways to fuel our cars and trucks with new sources of clean energy - like advanced biofuels and natural gas - so drivers can one day go coast-to-coast without using a drop of oil."

My column on Obama visiting Argonne Lab to push Congress to create an Energy Security Trust to wean the nation off oil and gas--and avoid spikes in gas prices--and dependence on foreign oil--is HERE.

My post on why Obama picked Argonne for his speech is HERE.

Obama Argonne speech transcript is HERE.

White House fact sheets on Obama's proposed Energy Security Trust is HERE.

Click below for transcript of Obama weekly address.

WASHINGTON--Chicago's Cardinal Francis George, fresh from the election of Pope Francis guests on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday while Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) hits "Fox News Sunday."

WASHINGTON--Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), who has been traveling the nation to push immigration reform at a variety of forums, Tuesday is the newsmaker at the high-profile breakfast the Christian Science Monitor hosts for reporters here.

Gutierrez is a member of a bi-partisan House group trying to forge compromises on contentious immigration issues. To that end, Gutierrez is booked with Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) for an April 22 appearance on immigration at the City Club of Chicago.

On Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Gutierrez is in California rallying support for immigration legislation working its way through the House and Senate.

Click below for details on Gutierrez recent travels provided by his office:

WASHINGTON--President Barack Obama on Friday praised the research and discoveries at Argonne National Lab in the Chicago suburb of Lemont--in particular the ability of the "outstanding scientists like so many of you, entrepreneurs, innovators; all of you were working together to take your discoveries and turn them into a business.

"So think about this: Just a few years ago, the American auto industry was flatlining. Today, thanks in part to discoveries made right here at Argonne, some of the most high-tech fuel-efficient pretty spiffy cars in the world are once again designed, engineered and built here in the United States.

"And that's why we have to keep investing in scientific research. It's why I need -- we have to maintain our edge because the work you're doing today will end up in the product that we make and sell tomorrow. You're helping to secure our energy future."

WASHINGTON--President Barack Obama is touring an Argonne Lab right now in advance of his energy speech at 1:30 p.m. Chicago time. Here's the latest from the national pool report....

"President Obama will be led on a tour of the active research taking place in the Center for Transportation Research by Argonne National Lab Director Dr. Eric Isaacs, Joint Center for Energy Storage Research Director Dr. George Crabtree and Center for Transportation Research Director Ann Schlenker.

"Following the tour, the President will deliver remarks in the nearby Nanoscale Materials Center to Argonne employees and representatives from leading companies, universities and organizations in the energy field. He will be introduced by Ann Schlenker."

WASHINGTON--President Barack Obama's team picked Argonne National Lab --in the Chicago suburb of Lemont--for his Friday energy speech because of its research leading to commercial applications for weaning vehicles from oil and gas.

Argonne is one of the Department of Energy's biggest national laboratories, managed by the University of Chicago.

A White House official who briefed reporters on Thursday here said Argonne was chosen for the visit to showcase Obama's package of energy proposals because the scope of the research at the lab "is incredibly wide ranging but for decades now, they have been at the forefront of research focused on high-tech vehicle technology."

Specifically, the official spotlighted Argonne's battery research that started in the early 1990s--at a time when the private sector could not handle the load--that led to advanced battery technology that years later had commercial applications for vehicles in the U.S.

Last November, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, Energy Secretary Steven Chu--who is with Obama at Argonne today--and Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced "that a multi-partner team led by Argonne National Laboratory has been selected for an award of up to $120 million over five years to establish a new Batteries and Energy Storage Hub. The Hub, to be known as the Joint Center for Energy Storage Research (JCESR), will combine the R&D firepower of five DOE national laboratories, five universities, and four private firms in an effort aimed at achieving revolutionary advances in battery performance. Advancing next generation battery and energy storage technologies for electric and hybrid cars and the electricity grid are a critical part of President Obama's all-of-the-above energy strategy to reduce America's reliance on foreign oil and lower energy costs for U.S. consumers.

"The Hub will bring together some of the most advanced energy storage research programs in the U.S. today. Other national labs partnering with Argonne include Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. University partners include Northwestern University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois-Chicago, University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, and University of Michigan. Four industrial partners have also joined to help clear a path to the marketplace for the advances developed at JCESR, including Dow Chemical Company; Applied Materials, Inc.; Johnson Controls, Inc.; and Clean Energy Trust."

WASHINGTON--Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.) was tapped by House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) to be part of a congressional delegation flying to Rome for the investiture of Pope Francis next week.

Vice President Joe Biden will lead the U.S. presidential delegation to Rome for the Inaugural mass for Pope Francis on Tuesday.

Others in the Biden delegation to honor the world's first Hispanic pope--with Italian roots-- include New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez; House Democratic Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Georgetown University President John J. DeGioia. President Barack Obama had asked Boehner to be part of the presidential delegation and he declined.

"The installation of Pope Francis, the first Holy Father ever to hail from the Americas, is a milestone in world history and an event of monumental significance to the millions of Americans who share in the Catholic faith," Boehner said in a statement.

The House delegation to the Vatican will also include, besides Lipinski, Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Sean Duffy (R-WI), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX), Jim Langevin (D-RI), and Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) and Father Patrick Conroy, S.J., the chaplain of the House of Representatives.

Boehner's office said, "the House delegation will fly to Rome on commercial air flights, in compliance with the Speaker's directive that Member use of military air transportation be suspended with sequestration in effect."

UPDATED WITH NAMES OF HOUSE DELEGATION HEADED TO ROME

WASHINGTON-Vice President Joe Biden will lead the U.S. presidential delegation to Rome for the Inaugural mass for Pope Francis next Tuesday.

Others in the Biden delegation to honor the world's first Hispanic pope--with Italian roots-- include New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez; House Democratic Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Georgetown University President John J. DeGioia.

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said the House delegation to the Vatican: Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Sean Duffy (R-WI), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX), Jim Langevin (D-RI), Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), and Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) and Father Patrick Conroy, S.J., the chaplain of the House of Representatives.

President Barack Obama had asked Boehner to be part of the presidential delegation and he declined.

WASHINGTON--President Barack Obama is flying now to Chicago's O'Hare Airport, en route to Argonne Lab in suburban Lemont to push Congress to approve his package of energy plans. According to the pool reports, among those boarding the plane with Obama were Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser; Rob Nabors, deputy chief of staff; Josh Earnest, deputy press secretary; Marvin Nicholson, trip director and Pete Souza, White House photographer.

For background on the Obama Argonne visit and details on his plans click HERE

WASHINGTON--President Barack Obama visits the Argonne National Lab in the Chicago suburb of Lemont on Friday to push Congress to approve his wide-ranging package of plans to wean the U.S. off oil and gas. See below for complete details from the White House on the Obama energy proposals.

Obama Energy Fact Sheet

WASHINGTON--As the Illinois General Assembly wrestles with legalizing gay marriage, Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) announced on Friday his support for gay marriage--with his switch on the issue prompted by his son, Will, who told him two years ago he was gay.

Portman writes about how he came to the decision to back gay marriage in a column in the Columbus Dispatch you can read HERE.

President Obama discussing climate change, the Clean Energy Market, solar and wind energy, the natural gas boom and his proposal to create an Energy Security Trust at his Feb. 13, 2013 State of the Union Address

WASHINGTON-- President Barack Obama visits Argonne National Laboratory in suburban Lemont on Friday to deliver a speech on weaning the nation from oil and gas, following up on an energy plan unveiled in his State of the Union address to ask Congress to create an Energy Security Trust.

He will speak at 1:30 p.m. Chicago time, after a tour of the lab.

The goal of the trust, the White House said, is to "invest in breakthrough research that will make the technologies of the future cheaper and better - technologies that will protect American families from spikes in gas prices and allow us to run our cars and trucks on electricity or homegrown fuels."

Congress will be asked for $2 billion, spread over 10 years, starting with the next budget.

The Obama administration has already made progress in lessening the nation's dependence on foreign oil, with imports, according to the White House, at a 20-year low with growing use of alternative sources--such as geothermal, solar and wind.

In his State of the Union speech, Obama said "I propose we use some of our oil and gas revenues to fund an Energy Security Trust that will drive new research and technology to shift our cars and trucks off oil for good.

"If a nonpartisan coalition of CEOs and retired generals and admirals can get behind this idea, then so can we. Let's take their advice and free our families and businesses from the painful spikes in gas prices we've put up with for far too long," Obama said in the Feb. 12 address.

The coalition Obama referred to which developed the trust concept is named "SAFE" -- Securing America's Future Energy -- co-chaired by FedEx CEO Frederick W. Smith and former Marine Corps Commandant General P.X. Kelley. SAFE CEO and president Robbie Diamond said he will be at Argonne on Friday for the speech, where he expects to hear how Obama will implement an energy trust.

"There is no greater economic and national security threat than our dependence on oil," Diamond said. The nation needs to develop "alternatives to oil to power our cars and trucks."

Obama was last in Chicago on Feb. 15 for a speech at the Hyde Park Academy following up on economic plans outlined in his State of the Union address as well as measures to curb gun violence.

Argonne is one of the Department of Energy's biggest national laboratories, managed by the University of Chicago.

A White House official said Argonne Labs was selected for the visit to showcase Obama's package of energy proposals because the scope of the research at the lab "is incredibly wide ranging but for decades now, they have been at the forefront of research focused on high-tech vehicle technology."

Specifically, the official spotlighted Argonne's battery research that started in the early 1990s--at a time when the private sector could not handle the load--that led to advanced battery technology that years later had commercial applications for vehicles in the U.S.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) will accompany Obama to the speech, flying with him on Air Force One to O'Hare Airport. Rep. Bill Foster (D-Ill.) whose district includes Argonne, plans on attending the speech. Obama will be returning to Washington after the Argonne speech.

Obama's speech will be streamed live at: www.whitehouse.gov/live

WASHINGTON--Business executive Penny Pritzker, expected to be tapped by President Barack Obama to be Commerce Secretary, on Thursday quit her seat on the Chicago School Board.

Pritzker was the finance chair for Obama's 2008 presidential campaign and an early supporter of his political career. Pritzker's ability to raise early major money for Obama's White House run--when he was locked in a battle with Hillary Rodham Clinton--made his candidacy viable.

Sun-Times City Hall Reporter Fran Spielman has the story HERE.

She submitted her resignation in a brief letter to Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Obama's former chief of staff. Quitting governmental boards --and severing ties to business enterprises --are necessary for a cabinet appointee. Pritzker would have to be confirmed by the Senate.

WASHINGTON--Chris Hayes, tapped Thursday to host a prime time MSNBC show, has strong Chicago connections; his father-in-law is Andy Shaw, the President and CEO of the Better Government Association and longtime Chicago print and television reporter.

Hayes started his writing career in Chicago--the path that eventually led him to The Nation and MSNBC, where he has been hosting "Up w/Chris Hayes" on the weekend. Hayes will take over the 8 p.m. hour on MSNBC on April 1.

Hayes is married to Shaw's daughter, Kate. The couple met while students at Brown University and moved to Chicago, where Kate attended Northwestern Law School.

At that time, Hayes was not yet a journalist. He was "more of a theater rat," Shaw told me on Thursday.

When Hayes wanted to launch a writing career, Shaw connected him to the Chicago Reader, where he started as a freelancer. He began to get more interested in politics and went on to write for an assortment of liberal publications, Shaw said, including "Mother Jones" and "In These Times." The couple lived in Humboldt Park and Ukrainian Village.

After Kate Shaw finished law school, the couple moved to Washington when she served as a law clerk to now former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens. After the election of President Barack Obama, she served two years in the White House as an associate counsel.

Hayes starting working for "The Nation" in Washington, giving him a platform for television guest hits. Over at MSNBC, "he and Rachel Maddow really hit it off," Shaw said, "and Rachel became his mentor."

After guest shots and guest host stints, Hayes landed his weekend gig--and now is promoted to prime time.

WASHINGTON--As the Illinois House in Springfield nears a vote on gay marriage, seven Illinois members of Congress--all Democrats from the Chicago area-- urged passage of the "Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act."

Signing the letter were Reps. Danny Davis, Luis Gutierrez, Mike Quigley, Jan Schakowsky, Tammy Duckworth, Brad Schneider and Bill Foster.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

WASHINGTON--Scott Prouty--that's the name of the Florida bartender who made the Mitt Romney 47 percent video. He's finally decided to go public, starting with an interview with MSNBC's Ed Schultz and later with Huffington Post Washington Bureau Chief Ryan Grim. All along, he's been talking to David Corn, the Mother Jones Washington Bureau Chief who broke the 47 percent story.

Corn writes about Prouty's saga in his article headlined, "Meet Scott Prouty, the 47 Percent Video Source."

From Corn: "For months, he and I shared a big secret and repeatedly discussed whether he should go public or stay hidden."

Read Corn's article HERE.

Huffington Post Washington Bureau Chief Ryan Grim, Scott Prouty/ Huffington Post Live

WASHINGTON--President Barack Obama invited House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) to join Vice President Joe Biden in traveling to Rome to be at the Inaugural Mass for Pope Francis.

The invite came after Obama talked to GOP House members on Wednesday. Boehner cannot attend because of the press of congressional business. His statement below.

From Boehner: "I am grateful for the invitation to attend the papal investiture in Rome with Vice President Biden, and would like to be able to join the trip. Unfortunately, my duties in the House next week - including hosting President Obama and the Prime Minister of Ireland at the Capitol on Tuesday, and the debate on the budget - make that impossible. I wish the Vice President all the best in his journey, and hope he communicates the prayers and warm regards of every American, especially Catholics, to the first pope from the Americas."

WASHINGTON--The American Conservative Union kicks off a three day conference on Thursday here, with the future of the conservative movement a major part of the conversation. Mitt Romney surfaces to deliver a keynote to the group. Much noted who was not invited: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. For schedules, speakers, click HERE.

From ABC's Rick Klein on CPAC: "There they will all be (mostly) in one place, several generations lost about the next race. Perhaps the only thing attendees at this year's Conservative Political Action Conference can agree on is the "conservative" label. Beyond that, question about who's not there (Chris Christie, Bob McDonnell, GOP gay-rights groups) are competing with questions about who is (lots of future stars, sure, though nobody figures to get more coverage than Mitt Romney and Sarah Palin). Attention and talk will turn to 2016, including the straw poll winner who almost certainly won't be the party nominee. But of more immediate concern to the gathered conservative flock is how attendees interact with their allies on Capitol Hill. The red meat is set to be served at the first time in the Obama presidency that Republicans are breaking bread with the president. The message coming from CPAC is highly unlikely to involve bargains with President Obama, grand or otherwise.

More from ABC's Political Unit: "CPAC PRIMER: Today marks the start of a three-day gathering of conservative leaders and activists from around the country. The Conservative Political Action Conference - CPAC, for short - is organized by the American Conservative Union and has become an annual focal point bringing together establishment figures, new leaders, grassroots types and, in particular, the younger generation of conservatives. It kicks off this morning at the Gaylord National Hotel in National Harbor, Md. just outside Washington, DC.

More from ABC's Political Unit: WHO'S GOING: A whole lot of big-name speakers like Mitt Romney, Sarah Palin, Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump, Rick Perry, Bobby Jindal, Newt Gingrich, Michele Bachmann, Rick Santorum, Paul Ryan Rand Paul and many more. Numerous other lawmakers from Capitol Hill will also address the gathering and attendees will also have a chance to hear from a host of unelected officials who have a prominent role on policy and other matters within the conservative orbit: the National Rifle Association's Wayne LaPierre, American Crossroads head Steven Law, American Conservative Union chairman Al Cardenas, Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist and Heritage Foundation president and former U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint.

WASHINGTON -- A highlight of President Barack Obama's visit to Israel next week will be a major speech in Jerusalem -- with an audience full of students -- where he will speak directly to Israelis for the first time.

That's just one stop of Obama's first foreign trip of his second term, designed to show -- through substance and symbolism -- the ironclad U.S. commitment to Israel, as the nation faces a potential nuclear threat from Iran and conflicts in Egypt and Syria threaten Israeli security.

The speech will give Obama an opportunity to bypass often critical Israeli media and hostile political figures during his first trip to Israel as president.

The U.S. Embassy in Israel is running an essay contest on Facebook, with up to 20 winners "who submit the most original and creative responses" to be invited to the speech, the embassy website said.

I wrote earlier this month how the visit -- coming after Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's re-election victories -- give the leaders a chance to reset their strained relationship. Netanyahu was seen as a Mitt Romney supporter while Obama had to continuously prove his pro-Israel credentials during his campaign.

Obama's swing includes Israel, the West Bank and Jordan. Obama has met with U.S. Arab-American and Jewish leaders in separate sessions in recent weeks to discuss his trip.

Obama "wants to recognize Israeli technology and the spirit of the Jewish people, so Israelis can hear for themselves Obama's regard for Israeli society," I was told by someone with knowledge of the March 7 meeting Obama had with U.S. Jewish leaders.

Michael Oren, the Israeli ambassdor to the U.S., briefed a group of Jewish members of Congress on Tuesday about the Obama visit, including Illinois Reps. Jan Schakowsky and Brad Schneider.

Obama "certainly wants the Israelis to understand his sincerity," Schakowsky told me. "I hope that the Israeli people will show more regard for him, regard that is well deserved," she said.

Obama toured Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial when he visited Israel during his 2008 presidential campaign and will make a return trip. In addition, Oren said Obama will visit the Shrine of the Book in the Israel Museum which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Schneider said the Shrine of the Book stop is significant because it shows "that the Jewish connection to the land of Israel at least dates back thousands of years. I think that is an important symbolism."

To that point, Obama will also visit the Har Herzl national cemetery -- where Theodor Herzl, the founder of Zionism, is buried.

Obama will be meeting with Netanyahu and will travel to the West Bank city of Ramallah to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, the lawmakers said.

Obama will also see an Iron Dome installation -- the missile defense system built with massive financial assistance from the Obama administration and Congress.

Obama met with two dozen American Jewish leaders at that March 7 White House meeting to discuss his trip.

"He wants to communicate that he recognizes that Israel lives in a tough neighborhood that is getting tougher," with the challenges posed by Iran, Egypt and Syria, making it imperative that the U.S. stand fast with Israel, I was told.

Negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinian Authority ground to a halt years ago. Obama will urge a "just resolution" of the Palestinian conflict -- but the prospects for peace, he told the group, are "bleak." Obama is not coming with a proposal to jump-start the peace process.

WASHINGTON--Vice President Joe Biden will travel to Rome to celebrate the Inaugural Mass for Pope Francis, Biden said on Wednesday.

Biden, a Catholic, said in a statement, "Jill and I want to offer our congratulations to His Holiness Pope Francis, and extend our prayers as he takes on this holy responsibility. I am happy to have the chance to personally relay my well wishes, and those of the American people, when I travel to Rome for his Inaugural Mass. The Catholic Church plays an essential role in my life and the lives of more than a billion people in America and around the world, not just in matters of our faith, but in pursuit of peace and human dignity for all faiths. I look forward to our work together in the coming years on many important issues."

WASHINGTON--President Barack Obama statement on the new pope selected Wednesday, His Holiness Pope Francis.

From Obama: "On behalf of the American people, Michelle and I offer our warm wishes to His Holiness Pope Francis as he ascends to the Chair of Saint Peter and begins his papacy. As a champion of the poor and the most vulnerable among us, he carries forth the message of love and compassion that has inspired the world for more than two thousand years--that in each other we see the face of God. As the first pope from the Americas, his selection also speaks to the strength and vitality of a region that is increasingly shaping our world, and alongside millions of Hispanic Americans, those of us in the United States share the joy of this historic day. Just as I appreciated our work with Pope Benedict XVI, I look forward to working with His Holiness to advance peace, security and dignity for our fellow human beings, regardless of their faith. We join with people around the world in offering our prayers for the Holy Father as he begins the sacred work of leading the Catholic Church in our modern world."

WASHINGTON--There is enormous interest in the use of drones on both sides of the aisle and next month Sen. Dick Durbin (D-lll.) will chair a Senate Judiciary Committee
hearing titled "Drone Wars: The Constitutional and Counterterrorism Implications of Targeted Killing."

On March 16, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) will chair hearing on the domestic use of drones titled "The Future of Drones in America: Law Enforcement and Privacy Considerations."

Last week, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) took to the Senate floor for a 13-hour filibuster of John Brennan's CIA director nomination to be CIA director and his concerns over the Obama administration targeted drone strikes.

The April 16 Durbin hearing "will focus on the constitutional and statutory authority for targeted killings; the scope of the battlefield and who can be targeted as a combatant; and establishing a transparent legal framework for the use of drones."

"Targeted killing raises important legal and policy questions that require a public debate," Durbin said in a statement. "President Obama has made it clear he wants to work with Congress to establish 'a legal architecture' for drone strikes to prevent abuses. My subcommittee will begin this important constitutional debate when we meet next month."

WASHINGTON--First Lady Michelle Obama on Wednesday delivers a speech about boosting help to the nations military and their families--her "Joining Forces" program--to CEOs of the Business Roundtable. The chairman of the group is W. James McNerney, Chairman, President & CEO of the Chicago-based Boeing Company.

From the White House: "The First Lady's remarks will continue her call on the private sector to hire America's veterans and military spouses, and help them reach their full potential within America's companies.

"This year, with the Iraq War over and the war in Afghanistan drawing to a close, Mrs. Obama will make the case that it has never been more important to join together and help our veterans and military spouses find employment and build their careers, especially the more than one million veterans who will be hanging up their uniforms and transitioning back to civilian life in the coming years."