March 2013 Current Events: U.S. News. Here are the key events in United States news for the month of March 2013. *. Congress Fails to Stop Budget Cuts (Mar. 1):Congress and President Obamado not reach an agreement in time to stop the large budget cuts to federal spending. As the cuts go into effect, Congressional leaders pledge to end the disagreements over the federal budget that have threatened to shut down the government for the last two years. President Obama responds to the budget cuts in a news conference where he says, "I don't anticipate a huge financial crisis, but people are going to be hurt." *. The Supreme Court Debates Same-Sex Marriage (Mar. 26):The Supreme Court begins two days of historical debate over gay marriage. During the debate, the Supreme Court will consider overturning Proposition 8, the Californiainitiative banning same-sex marriage, and the Defense of Marriage Act, a federal law passed during Bill Clinton's presidency, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman. The Supreme Court's decision will be announced in June 2013.