WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama on Monday said there was "no excuse" for the cascade of computer problems that have marred the rollout of a key element in his health care law, but declared he was confident the administration would be able to fix the issues.

"There's no sugarcoating it," President Obama said. "Nobody is more frustrated than I am."

The president said his administration was doing "everything we can possibly do" to get the federally run websites where people are supposed to apply for insurance up and running. That includes bringing in additional technology experts from inside and outside the government to work on the issues.

People have until March 31 to sign up for coverage. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office had projected that about 7 million people would gain coverage through the exchanges during the first year.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama says the former Pentagon lawyer he's recalling to service to lead the Department of Homeland Security is an outstanding public servant whom he has known and trusted for years.

If confirmed by the Senate, Jeh Johnson would succeed Janet Napolitano, who is now president of the University of California system.

Obama says Johnson has a deep understanding of the threats and challenges facing the United States.

The 56-year-old Johnson was the Defense Department's top lawyer in Obama's first term. He returned to private practice last year.

At the Pentagon, Johnson oversaw the increased use of unmanned drone strikes, the revamping of military commission to try terrorism suspects and the repeal of the ban on gays in the military.

(USA TODAY) -- Vice President Joe Biden went on a morale-boosting mission this morning. He welcomed back federal employees at the Environmental Protection Agency who were furloughed during the 16-day partial government shutdown.

See him speak to the employees in the video.