Jan. 21, 2013, 2:04 p.m. EST Obama defends entitlements in speech By Robert Schroeder, MarketWatch WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) â President Barack Obama on Monday used his inaugural address to put Republicans on notice that heâll fight for robust entitlement programs and against climate change, digging in ahead of what will prove to be a blistering fight over U.S. government spending and deficits. Fiscal battles are front and center as Obama opens his second term, including the automatic budget cuts known as sequestration, the possibility of a government shutdown in March if Congress doesnât pass a new budget, and the U.S. borrowing limit. On Monday, House Republicans unveiled legislation to suspend the U.S. debt ceiling until May 19, and a floor vote could come as soon as Wednesday. http://www.marketwatch.com/story/obama-defends-entitlements-in-speech-2013-01-21?link=MW_latest_news