Weekend in politics: February jobs figure, and more

The Labor Department will release the February jobs report Friday morning.

Employers are expected to have added 160,000 jobs—a slight uptick from January’s 157,000 tally, according to a Reuters survey of economists. That would be enough to hold the unemployment rate at 7.9 percent.

Once again, the White House is likely to respond to the report by saying the economy is on the right track but more progress is needed, and congressional Republicans are likely to say the economy is on the wrong track.

Also worth noting on Friday: President Barack Obama will meet with faith leaders at the White House to discuss “the need for commonsense immigration reform;” first lady Michelle Obama will be the keynote speaker at the Partnership for a Healthier America summit; Secretary of State John Kerry and the first lady will present the International Women of Courage Awards; the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee will hold a hearing on “The Impact of Sequestration on Women and Families;” and there will be a White House “Office Hours” session on Twitter on the Violence Against Women Act.

On Saturday evening, President Obama will speak at the Gridiron Club and Foundation Spring Dinner, where politicians traditionally poke fun at the press, other politicians and Washington life. This year's speakers also include Republican Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.

Some of the potential Republican presidential candidates will be in Coral Gables, Fla., on Saturday and Sunday for the Republican National Committee finance meeting. Those attending will include Florida Governor Jeb Bush; Sens. Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz; Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

And then there is this: White House tours will be canceled as of Saturday because of U.S. Secret Service staffing reductions resulting from the automatic “sequester” spending cuts.

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