Senate Democratic leaders finish a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, after answering questions about the impending automatic spending cuts that take effect March 1. From right to left are, Senate Majority Whip Sen. Richard Durbin of Ill., Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., and Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)