BeltwayBlips - Latest Washington, D.C News Articles

Healthcare bill passes first Senate test

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:24:27 +0000

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A sweeping healthcare overhaul narrowly cleared its first hurdle in the Senate on Saturday, with Democrats casting 60 party-line votes to open debate on the biggest healthcare changes in decades.

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Levin: More e-mails from Ft. Hood suspect possible (AP)

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:49:15 +0000

AP - WASHINGTON — The government intercepted at least 18 e-mails between the alleged Fort Hood gunman and a radical Muslim cleric, and a key senator says there could be more communications that might have tipped off law enforcement or military officials.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: Other, Mark Levin, Washington, D.C

Senate Democrats assured of 60 votes to debate health bill

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:35:18 +0000

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Senate Democrat Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas said Saturday she will support bringing the Senate health care reform bill to the floor for debate, giving Democrats the 60 votes they need to prevent a Republican filibuster. "Although I don't agree with everything in this bill, I believe it is important to begin this debate," she said. "This issue is very complex. There is no easy fix," she said in making her announcement on the Senate floor, just hours before Saturday night's 8 p.m. procedural vote. Earlier Saturday, Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-Louisiana, became the 59th lawmaker to agree to vote for debate.

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UPDATE: Landrieu says she'll back health bill debate

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:01:37 +0000

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana said Saturday she has decided to support a floor debate on the Senate's health care reform bill. But she added a caveat on the floor of the Senate: "My vote today to move forward on this important debate should in no way be construed by the supporters of this current framework as an indication of how I might vote as this debate comes to an end. "It is a vote to move forward to continue the good and essential and important and imperative work that is under way." Sixty votes are needed to move the controversial bill to the floor for discussion. The legislative body is expected to vote Saturday night. The only senator who has not publicly announced how she will vote on the debate question is Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas. –CNN's Dana Bash contributed to this report.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: Congress, Health care, Washington, D.C, CNN, Blanche Lincoln

Landrieu to back health bill debate

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:43:36 +0000

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana on Saturday said she has decided to support a floor debate on the Senate's health care reform bill, according to two Democratic sources. Sixty votes are needed to move the controversial bill to the floor for discussion. The legislative body is expected to vote Saturday night. Landrieu had said she's concerned about the bill's costs to small businesses and individuals, and is opposed to a public health insurance option "that will undermine the private insurance market."

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Palin slams Senate health care vote

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:27:55 +0000

WASHINGTON (CNN)– Revisiting some of her campaign trail talking points, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin weighed in on the Senate health care vote, criticizing the Democrats and Majority Leader Harry Reid for a lack of transparency. "Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is pushing for yet another weekend vote (commonplace now for the party of "transparency") because he knows that the American people will be none too happy about the Democrats' proposal the longer they have to look it over," Palin wrote late Friday night in a posting on her Facebook page. Republicans, who have expressed opposition to the Democrats' bill from the beginning, have threatened to read the full 2,074 page bill during Senate debate, claiming the more Americans hear about what is in the bill, the less they will like it. Palin went on to talk about features in the bill: government spending, abortion, and help for special needs children. "While this Saturday night vote might seem like a procedural matter, at the ...

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Obama asks for patience on economy

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:02:34 +0000

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Saturday urged Americans to show patience over the economy and argued that his just-concluded Asia trip was critical for U.S. exports, countering criticism he had returned empty-handed.

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Levin: could be more e-mails from Ft. Hood suspect (AP)

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:53:15 +0000

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Honduras de facto leader says will step aside

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:23:54 +0000

TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) - Honduras's post-coup de facto leader said on Friday he would give up his presidential duties for a week, a step Washington welcomed as a way to help ease a five-month-old political crisis.

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Moderate Democrat boosts Senate health bill

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:14:09 +0000

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - One of three wavering U.S. Senate Democrats said on Friday he would vote to start the chamber's healthcare debate, bolstering the chances for a broad reform bill one day before its first crucial test.

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Ex-State Dept official pleads guilty to spying for Cuba

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:46:35 +0000

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A former U.S. State Department official and his wife pleaded guilty on Friday to charges that they spied for almost three decades for the Communist-led Cuban government.

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Obama job approval rating drops under 50 percent

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:31:58 +0000

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's job approval rating has dropped below 50 percent in a second major poll in an indication he is suffering from the long healthcare debate and weakness in the economy, Gallup said on Friday.

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Lawmaker asks people to stop complaining, and gets an earful (McClatchy Newspapers)

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:46:00 +0000

McClatchy Newspapers - WASHINGTON — Rep. Emanuel Cleaver wanted people to stop complaining for a day and count their blessings.

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Ethics panel admonishes Obama Senate replacement

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:43:55 +0000

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate ethics committee on Friday admonished Roland Burris, saying he had been less than candid about his gubernatorial appointment to the Senate seat previously held by President Barack Obama.

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Cosmetic surgeons frown on Senate's 'botax' plan (McClatchy Newspapers)

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:24:00 +0000

McClatchy Newspapers - WASHINGTON — If you're considering Botox to erase frown lines or liposuction to get rid of love handles, you might want to move fast. The "botax" may be on the way.

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Senate leader at risk in healthcare battle

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:42:40 +0000

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Other than President Barack Obama, perhaps no one's political future is riding more on the Senate battle to revamp the healthcare system than the chamber's Democratic majority leader, Harry Reid.

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Senate announces Bernanke confirmation hearing

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:55:48 +0000

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Senate Banking Committee will hold a confirmation hearing on Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's nomination to a second term as chief of the U.S. central bank December 3, the panel said on Friday.

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U.S. healthcare companies set for record lobbying in 2009

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:46:01 +0000

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - It's not just spending on U.S. healthcare that's hitting record levels. Drugmakers, insurers and industry groups are on track to spend an all-time high of more than $500 million this year to influence Congress' revamp of the U.S. healthcare system.

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U.S. urges Honduras de facto leader to step aside

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:40:18 +0000

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Honduras' de facto leader should make good on an offer to step aside for a week so voters can focus on November 29 polls and resolve the country's political crisis, the U.S. State Department said Friday.

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No Obama decision on Afghan until after Thanksgiving

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:26:56 +0000

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's announcement of a new strategy on Afghanistan will not take place until after the Thanksgiving holiday next week, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Friday.

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Nearly half of Americans rate Geithner performance "poor"

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:18:23 +0000

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Adding to lawmaker criticism of U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner's performance is a new survey released on Friday showing 42 percent of Americans say he has done a "poor job" handling the credit crisis and federal bailout programs.

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OFA fundraising off Palin book tour

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:01:32 +0000

OFA fundraising off Palin book tour. Washington (CNN) - The Democratic Party's fundraising off of Sarah Palin's "dangerous" book tour. "Right now, Sarah Palin is on a highly publicized, nationwide book tour, attacking President Obama and his plan for health reform at every turn," wrote Organizing for America director Mitch Stewart in a message sent to supporters Friday. "It's dangerous. Remember, this is the person who coined the term 'Death Panels' - and opened the flood gates for months of false attacks by special interests and partisan extremists. Whatever lie comes next will be widely covered by the media, then constantly echoed by right-wing attack groups and others who are trying to defeat reform. The group, the president's political arm at the Democratic National Committee, set a goal of raising $500,000 over the next week "to help push back against Sarah Palin and her allies." OFA said the contributions will be used to respond to those attacks via ads, events, and ...

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Q+A - India, U.S. seek to move "beyond cliches" on ties (Reuters)

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:39:50 +0000

Reuters - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrives on Monday in Washington on the first state visit of the Obama administration -- a tribute, both sides say, to the close natural ties between the two giant democracies.

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Moderate Sen. Nelson will vote to let health care bill proceed (McClatchy Newspapers)

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:00:00 +0000

McClatchy Newspapers - WASHINGTON — Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska, one of three moderate Democrats wavering on whether to allow debate on health care legislation to proceed, said Friday that he would vote to move the bill forward.

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House panel OKs plan to open Fed policy to audits

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:42:57 +0000

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. congressional panel on Thursday approved a measure to open the Federal Reserve's monetary policy decisions to government audits, a surprise blow to the central bank's efforts to shield its independence and a signal of frustration with the central bank.

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Pelosi calls Afghan Karzai "unworthy partner"

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:41:50 +0000

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Afghan President Hamid Karzai is an "unworthy partner" who does not deserve a big boost either in U.S. troops or civilian aid, U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.

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Nelson to support motion to proceed

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:12:26 +0000

Washington (CNN ) - Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson announced Friday that he would be supporting the motion to proceed that would allow the Senate to begin debate on the Democrats' health care reform legislation. "Throughout my Senate career I have consistently rejected efforts to obstruct," he said in a statement. "That's what the vote on the motion to proceed is all about. It is not for or against the new Senate health care bill released Wednesday. It is only to begin debate and an opportunity to make improvements. If you don't like a bill why block your own opportunity to amend it?"

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Senate Ethics Committee clears Burris of legal wrongdoing

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:36:05 +0000

Washington (CNN) - The Senate Ethics Committee issued a letter Friday clearing embattled Illinois Sen. Roland Burris of any legal wrongdoing. The committee admonished Burris, however, for failing to meet "a much higher standard of conduct."

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US envoy pans media coverage of Obama China visit (AP)

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:20:32 +0000

AP - Washington's ambassador to Beijing hit out Friday at negative U.S. media coverage of President Barack Obama's visit to China, saying it failed to take into account important progress on many issues.

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Senate confirms long-stalled Obama judicial pick

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:14:43 +0000

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Democratic-led U.S. Senate, having smashed through a Republican wall of opposition, confirmed on Thursday U.S. President Barack Obama's first and longest-stalled judicial nominee.

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Obama to unveil new Afghanistan strategy after Thanksgiving, source says

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:09:23 +0000

WASHINGTON (CNN) – President Barack Obama will not announce a new Afghanistan war strategy until after Thanksgiving, a senior administration official said Friday.

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Senate nears first healthcare vote

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:29:50 +0000

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats in the U.S. Senate geared up for a fierce battle over a new healthcare reform plan on Thursday as Republicans condemned the bill's price tag and tax hikes before the first crucial test vote on Saturday.

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US envoy criticizes coverage of Obama China visit (AP)

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:48:33 +0000

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China activists say detained after seeking to meet Obama (Reuters)

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:54:34 +0000

Reuters - Two Chinese rights activists who sought a meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama hours before he left Beijing said on Friday they were briefly detained by police, and one said Washington's sway over rights in China had eroded.

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| Washington: Census Bureau Opens Third Data Processing Center

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:45:53 +0000

The 212,000 square-foot data center will serve as a location for processing the the 2010 census form and also operate as a call center.

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26 indicted in scheme to defraud program for the deaf

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:02:09 +0000

Washington (CNN) – Federal authorities Thursday indicted 26 suspects in nine states in a wide-ranging scheme to defraud a program intended to help the deaf. Officials said they arrested conspirators in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Maryland. "The individuals charged in connection with today's operation are alleged to have stolen tens of millions of dollars from an important government program that is intended to help deaf and hard-of-hearing Americans communicate with hearing persons," said Lanny Breuer, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's Criminal Division. Breuer told reporters the defendants allegedly generated fraudulent call minutes by making it appear that deaf Americans were engaging in legitimate calls with hearing persons. "In reality, the defendants were simply attempting to steal money from an FCC program that is funded by every single American who pays their telephone bills," he said. The FBI ...

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House panel OKs plan to open Fed policy to audits

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:50:01 +0000

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: World, Washington, D.C, Federal Reserve, Foreign Policy

Pentagon launches new probe of Fort Hood shootings (McClatchy Newspapers)

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:09:00 +0000

McClatchy Newspapers - WASHINGTON — Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced Thursday that he's appointed two former heads of the Army and the Navy to review what happened at Fort Hood, amid questions about whether political correctness and a shortage of mental health professionals drove the military to keep Army psychiatrist Maj. Nidal Hasan in the Army longer than it should have.

Find more top political news, videos, and blogs on BeltwayBlips: White House, U.S. Army, Washington, D.C, Robert Gates

Open Cuba to U.S. tourists, leading dissident urges (McClatchy Newspapers)

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:22:00 +0000

McClatchy Newspapers - WASHINGTON — A high-octane effort to let U.S. tourists visit Cuba got a major endorsement Thursday from one of the island's leading dissidents, who suggested that "along with suitcases, Bermuda shorts and sun block, support, solidarity and freedom could come, too."

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Obama faces showdowns on health, Afghanistan, jobs (AP)

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:16:25 +0000

AP - President Barack Obama will have scant time to rest up from his eight-day Asia trip. On Saturday, two days after his return to Washington, the Senate plans a make-or-break vote on his hard-fought plan to overhaul the nation's health care system. Obama also confronts a difficult choice on strategy and troop levels in Afghanistan, which will be criticized no matter what he decides.

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House votes to boost Medicare pay to doctors

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:25 +0000

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives voted on Thursday to boost Medicare payments to physicians in a move that could help shore up support from doctors for a sweeping Democratic-backed healthcare overhaul.

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Congress urged to combat China trade practices

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:19:30 +0000

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States must combat China's trade-distorting industrial and currency policies with U.S. trade laws and by using the World Trade Organization, a congressional advisory body said on Thursday.

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DNC brings in $11.5 million in October

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:55:07 +0000

Washington (CNN) – It appears the Democratic National Committee outraised its Republican counterpart last month. The DNC raked in $11.5 million in October, a party source told CNN Thursday. Earlier in the day, the Republican National Committee reported that they brought in $8.79 million last month, with $11.2 million cash on hand and no debt. According to the Democratic party source, the DNC has $12.3 million in the bank, with debt of $4.4 million. The $11.5 million the DNC says it raised in October would be a monthly record for a non-presidential election year since the implementation of campaign finance reform measures earlier this decade. The RNC says the $8.79 million they raised in October was their highest monthly total in an off-election year. The RNC's $11.2 million in the bank is down nearly $8 million from the start of October, which reflects the large amounts of money the party committee spent last month to help GOP candidates in this November's contests. Republican ...

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Senate eyes first healthcare vote

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:43:37 +0000

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Democrats geared up for a lengthy battle over a new healthcare reform plan on Thursday as Republicans condemned the bill's cost and taxes ahead of the first key vote this weekend.

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What's Obama's trade policy? So far, there isn't much of one (McClatchy Newspapers)

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:41:00 +0000

McClatchy Newspapers - WASHINGTON — During his first 10 months in office, as global trade contracted sharply, President Barack Obama avoided pursuing free-trade pacts and limited his public moves on the trade front to high-profile and often politically popular retaliatory actions.

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President Obama to appear with NFL players for Thanksgiving public service announcement

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:33:21 +0000

President Obama to appear with NFL players for Thanksgiving public service announcement. Washington (CNN) - Several White House officials confirm President Obama will appear in a public service announcement with NFL players DeMarcus Ware, Drew Brees, and Troy Polamalu. The 90-second spot will air during the NFL Thanksgiving games, and a shorter version will run throughout the football season. The ad has Obama playing touch football on the White House lawn with local children and the Pittsburgh Steelers safety Polamalu, New Orleans Saints quarterback Brees, and Dallas Cowboys linebacker Ware. The spot is to promote the NFL's Play 60 campaign which tackles childhood obesity by encouraging physical exercise, and Mr.Obama's community service project United We Serve. During the spot the president wears a Chicago Bears jacket recognizing his home team.

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Gates launches Pentagon review of Fort Hood killings

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:17:09 +0000

Washington (CNN) – Defense Secretary Robert Gates Thursday announced a 45-day review of military policies in response to the Fort Hood killings, telling reporters the November 5 massacre raised questions that "demand complete but prompt answers." The review will examine whether Pentagon policies fall short in identifying service members who pose "credible threats to others," or in personnel screening programs and security and emergency response at U.S. bases. Gates said the investigation won't ease the pain of the families of the 13 people killed, but said the Pentagon must do "everything in our power to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future." "In all of these, I promise the Department of Defense's full and open disclosure," he said.

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Senate to vote Saturday on opening debate on health care bill

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:25:54 +0000

Senate to vote Saturday on opening debate on health care bill ' Washington (CNN)– The Senate will vote Saturday on opening debate on the sweeping health care bill introduced by Democrats, Majority Leader Harry Reid said Thursday. At a celebratory news conference the day after unveiling the 2,074-page bill, Reid and other leading Senate Democrats touted it as long overdue reform that will provide health coverage to millions of uninsured Americans while reducing the federal deficit. Republicans have vowed to try to block the bill, requiring Reid to round up 60 votes in the 100-member Senate to overcome a GOP filibuster and launch debate. The Democratic caucus is composed of 58 Democratic senators and two independents. However, some conservative and moderate Democrats have expressed concern with provisions in the health care bill. Asked Thursday if he had the votes to launch debate, Reid said: "We'll find out."

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Senators seek probe into China's yuan peg

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:47:40 +0000

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two senators who authored legislation aimed at pressuring China to lift the value of its yuan said on Thursday they asked the Commerce Department to investigate alleged Chinese currency "manipulation."

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BeltwayBlips - Latest Washington, D.C News Articles

Healthcare bill passes first Senate test

Levin: More e-mails from Ft. Hood suspect possible (AP)

Senate Democrats assured of 60 votes to debate health bill

UPDATE: Landrieu says she'll back health bill debate

Landrieu to back health bill debate

Palin slams Senate health care vote

Obama asks for patience on economy

Levin: could be more e-mails from Ft. Hood suspect (AP)

Honduras de facto leader says will step aside

Moderate Democrat boosts Senate health bill

Ex-State Dept official pleads guilty to spying for Cuba

Obama job approval rating drops under 50 percent

Top House Democrat questions 9/11 criminal trials

Lawmaker asks people to stop complaining, and gets an earful (McClatchy Newspapers)

Ethics panel admonishes Obama Senate replacement

Cosmetic surgeons frown on Senate's 'botax' plan (McClatchy Newspapers)

Senate leader at risk in healthcare battle

Senate announces Bernanke confirmation hearing

U.S. healthcare companies set for record lobbying in 2009

U.S. urges Honduras de facto leader to step aside

No Obama decision on Afghan until after Thanksgiving

Nearly half of Americans rate Geithner performance "poor"

OFA fundraising off Palin book tour

Q+A - India, U.S. seek to move "beyond cliches" on ties (Reuters)

Moderate Sen. Nelson will vote to let health care bill proceed (McClatchy Newspapers)

House panel OKs plan to open Fed policy to audits

Pelosi calls Afghan Karzai "unworthy partner"

Nelson to support motion to proceed

Senate Ethics Committee clears Burris of legal wrongdoing

US envoy pans media coverage of Obama China visit (AP)

Senate confirms long-stalled Obama judicial pick

Obama to unveil new Afghanistan strategy after Thanksgiving, source says

Senate nears first healthcare vote

US envoy criticizes coverage of Obama China visit (AP)

China activists say detained after seeking to meet Obama (Reuters)

| Washington: Census Bureau Opens Third Data Processing Center

26 indicted in scheme to defraud program for the deaf

House panel OKs plan to open Fed policy to audits

Pentagon launches new probe of Fort Hood shootings (McClatchy Newspapers)

Open Cuba to U.S. tourists, leading dissident urges (McClatchy Newspapers)

Obama faces showdowns on health, Afghanistan, jobs (AP)

House votes to boost Medicare pay to doctors

Congress urged to combat China trade practices

DNC brings in $11.5 million in October

Senate eyes first healthcare vote

What's Obama's trade policy? So far, there isn't much of one (McClatchy Newspapers)

President Obama to appear with NFL players for Thanksgiving public service announcement

Gates launches Pentagon review of Fort Hood killings

Senate to vote Saturday on opening debate on health care bill

Senators seek probe into China's yuan peg