Jeb Bush is calling for an end to the federal food stamp program as he seeks to overhaul the country’s welfare system. Bloomberg writes the Republican presidential hopeful is rolling out a welfare policy that would give money to states in place of food stamps, housing assistance and cash welfare programs. The former Florida governor’s policy would give money to states in the form of “Right to Rise Grants” that would include work requirements and time limits for able-bodied adults. Bush will speak about welfare reform in South Carolina on Saturday.

Obama rips NRA over ‘fiction’: President Barack Obama ripped the National Rifle Association in a televised town hall on gun control Thursday night, accusing the group of peddling an “imaginary fiction.” Obama, the Associated Press writes, dismissed what he called a “conspiracy” alleging that the federal government — and him in particular — wants to seize firearms as a precursor to imposing martial law. He blamed that notion on the NRA and other groups that convince their members that “somebody’s going to come grab your guns.” Obama said: “Yes, that is a conspiracy. I’m only going to be here for another year. When would I have started on this enterprise?”

Also read:Gun stocks slip as analyst questions whether sales surge driven by new owners.

Obama defends gun-control moves

Overflow crowd for Trump: Quick, which politician drew an overflow crowd in liberal bastion Burlington, Vt., on Thursday? It wasn’t home-state candidate Bernie Sanders; it was Donald Trump. The New York Times writes Republican Trump’s rally served multiple purposes for his campaign: needling Democratic presidential hopeful Sanders in his own neighborhood; garnering attention in nearby New Hampshire; and showing he can attract big crowds in a Democratic haven. Trump said of his GOP rivals: “They’re afraid to come up here because it has a tendency to be a little bit liberal, a little bit rough.”

Block sought for trade pact: A coalition of more than 1,500 interest groups sent a letter to Congress demanding lawmakers block the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the 12-nation trade pact championed by the Obama administration. The Washington Post writes the signers include labor unions, environmental and faith groups, and consumer advocates. The groups believe the deal, if concluded, wouldn’t create American jobs, enhance environmental sustainability or improve public health. Obama, meanwhile, has said that the trade accord would boost American competitiveness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Action closer on Puerto Rico: Politico writes momentum is building for Congress to address Puerto Rico’s fiscal crisis early this year, as the island appears increasingly likely to default on its $73 billion debt. This week, the U.S. territory refused to make $37 million in bond payments. House committees with jurisdiction over Puerto Rico’s affairs are under a directive from House Speaker Paul Ryan to come up with a legislative fix by March 31.