by Carrie Tian, policy intern 

NEWS:

• The government unveiled its first-ever inventory of federal programs across 24 departments, each one with a link to the program’s strategic goals. Politicians hailed the project for its possible aid in cutting down on duplication. (Government Executive)
• Marco Rubio may be drawing fire from Republicans of all stripes for his support of the immigration bill, but well-financed GOP groups are moving to cover for him, airing complimentary ads and urging party members to stop attacking one of their own. (New York Times)
• Paul Ryan is shoring up fundraising efforts for the Republican party, with 20 events left in 2013 alone. His exposure to top donors during his vice presidential bid gives him fundraising clout and could bolster a possible bid as speaker of the House. (POLITICO)
• Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes declared her candidacy for replacing Mitch McConnell in 2014. McConnell’s supporters have already aired ads attacking Grimes as a cheerleader for Obama. (Washington Post)
• Guardian journalist Gleen Greenwald says there’s another big NSA scoop coming shortly and that “the world will be shocked”. The world wearily prepares for its shocking. (POLITICO)