Thursday in politics: Biden speaks at Conn. gun violence conference, and more

Vice President Joe Biden will speak at a gun violence conference Thursday in Danbury, Conn.

The conference will focus on President Barack Obama's gun control proposals, which include universal background checks, a ban on military-style assault weapons and limiting the size of ammunition magazines.

Members of the state's congressional delegation organized the conference, and Sen. Richard Blumenthal said the proximity to Newtown was of "symbolic significance."

"There will be people with enormous expertise speaking but also Connecticut and Newtown residents who have felt the full burden and brunt of this horrific tragedy," Blumenthal said.

Also worth noting on Thursday: Obama will record radio interviews with Al Sharpton, Joe Madison and Yolanda Adams, and House Democrats have scheduled a hearing on the potential impact of the automatic spending cuts set to go into effect March 1, also known as sequestration.

And then there is this: Defense Secretary Leon Panetta attends his final NATO defense ministerial meeting. Panetta meets separately with Italian, Afghan, British, Australian, German and French defense leaders.

Sources: Yahoo News’ The Ticket, Associated Press and Reuters.