Wednesday in politics: Obama arrives in Israel, and more

Phil Pruitt

President Barack Obama arrives in Israel on Wednesday for his first visit to the country as president.

Obama will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on all three days, hold separate talks in the occupied West Bank with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and make a speech to students.

[Obama heads to Israel amid low expectations]

Obama will try to coax the Palestinians and Israelis back to peace talks, Reuters reports, and he will seek to reassure Netanyahu he is committed to preventing Iran from getting a nuclear bomb.

The Federal Reserve will release its latest policy statement, along with a new set of economic projections, on Wednesday. Despite signs that the U.S. economy is improving, the Fed is expected to continue its bond-buying stimulus program.

Also worth noting on Wednesday: The House is expected to vote on Rep. Paul Ryan's budget proposal; New York City Mayor Michal Bloomberg is expected to introduce his anti-smoking proposal to the City Council; Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper will sign gun-control bills that limit most ammunition magazines to 15 rounds; and first lady Michelle Obama will visit Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for a pre-Easter celebration with military families and children.

And then there is this: President Obama is picking Florida, Indiana, Louisville and Ohio State to reach the Final Four.

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