President-elect Barack Obama wants more transparency and strict guidelines for using the second $350 billion of the bailout fund Congress approved last fall to stabilize the nation's financial system. ...more

January 11, 2009

After reading Bud Morgan's recent offering regarding a legacy of failure, Thomas Paine's line that "these are the times that try men's souls" comes to mind. He goes on to observe "Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered." ...more

December 20, 2007

Congress by a wide margin approved the first increase in automobile fuel economy in 32 years Tuesday, and President Bush plans to quickly sign the legislation, accepting the mandates on the auto industry. ...more

December 19, 2007

The Senate on Friday approved a farm bill that would continue to funnel billions of dollars in subsidies to wealthy landowners and farmers who are earning record-breaking prices for their crops, rebuffing a concerted campaign by some senators to shift money to conservation, nutrition and deficit reduction. ...more

December 15, 2007

House Democrats pushed through a $50 billion bill for the Iraq war Wednesday night that would require President Bush to start bringing troops home in coming weeks with a goal of ending combat by December 2008. ...more

November 15, 2007

The U.S. Senate gave final approval Thursday to the first congressional override of a veto by President Bush, putting into law a $23 billion water-resources bill that authorizes billions for Everglades restoration and tens of millions for Tampa Bay area projects. ...more

November 9, 2007

President Bush on Friday refused to sign into law a $23 billion national water-projects bill that would authorize tens of millions of dollars for the Tampa Bay area and billions more for other projects in Florida. ...more

November 3, 2007

Congressional Democrats are responsible for big spending boosts for America's veterans, but their power play move to link them to budget increases for health and education had Republicans crying foul Friday. ...more

November 3, 2007

A Senate committee Wednesday declined to add wind damage coverage to a bill to overhaul and renew the national flood insurance program. ...more

October 18, 2007

President Bush and other Republicans stepped up their attacks on Democratic legislation that would require more oversight of surveillance within U.S. borders that is directed at foreign targets, escalating a partisan battle over the boundaries of U.S. spying. ...more

October 11, 2007