Next Stop — The Senate  —  After the House approved the non-binding resolution calling the surge strategy a failure before the military implements it, the Senate prepared a rare Saturday session to vote on the bill.  Harry Reid wants to have no debate or alternative resolutions and will force a cloture vote around 12:45:

House Passes Measure Opposing Troop Surge  —  Capping four days of passionate, often angry debate, the House delivered President Bush its first rebuke since the Iraq war was launched nearly four years ago, voting 246 to 182 to oppose the administration's planned deployment of 21,500 additional combat troops to Iraq.

Boxer to introduce airline passengers' bill of rights  —  CRUSADE PICKS UP STEAM AFTER THIS WEEK'S JETBLUE DELAYS  —  One day after hundreds of passengers were stranded on JetBlue flights for up to 11 hours, U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer said she plans to introduce legislation in the Senate for a passengers' bill of rights.

Baghdad Plan Is a 'Success,' Iraq Prime Minister Tells Bush  —  Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki told President Bush on Friday that the increased effort to provide security in Baghdad had gone exceedingly well so far, Mr. Maliki's office said in a statement.

Democrats Signal a Wider Battle Lasting the Rest of President's Term  —  After enjoying great deference in the conduct of national security for his first six years in office, President Bush now faces an assertive opposition Congress that has left him on the defensive.

Chávez Threatens to Jail Price Control Violators  —  Faced with an accelerating inflation rate and shortages of basic foods like beef, chicken and milk, President Hugo Chávez has threatened to jail grocery store owners and nationalize their businesses if they violate the country's expanding price controls.

Time For Split In Republican Ranks  —  Republicans who prioritize national security above all other policies must place national security above party loyalty.  —  Since I served in Vietnam, I've been a national security Republican.  That's meant supporting the building of Republican majorities …

Mea culpa to Bush on Presidents Day  —  Plain Talk by Al Neuharth, USA TODAY founder  —  Our great country has had 43 presidents.  Many very good.  A few pretty bad.  On Presidents Day next Monday, it's appropriate to commemorate them all.  —  I remember every president since Herbert Hoover, when I was a grade school kid.

WHILE CONGESS WAS VOTING...  ...this happened in Iraq:  —  Iraqi Government and 1st Iraqi Army Division assumes control … IA Captures Al Qaeda In Iraq Cell Leader, Recovers Weapons Cache … BOMB-MAKING FACILITY DESTROYED … IA, CF target terrorist cells in Muqdadiya

Jeb Bush steers advisers toward Romney  —  TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Jeb Bush, who hasn't publicly picked a favorite in the Republican presidential race, privately is talking up the candidacy of Mitt Romney and steering some of his closest advisers to the campaign.

2008 Hopefuls Shift Plans for Iraq Vote  —  Senate Vote on Iraq Prompts Some 2008 Candidates to Shift Their Campaign Plans  —  Republican presidential hopeful John McCain, a staunch supporter of sending more troops to Iraq, will skip a Senate vote on the war Saturday to campaign in Iowa …

Video: Michelle, strategists on fmr. Edwards bloggers; talking points mixed up  —  Former Edwards blog mistresses Amanda Marcotte and Melissa McEwan were a topic of discussion on this evening's Factor.  Michelle, Republican strategist Kellyanne Conway, and Dem strategist Julie Roginsky …

Gun laws that constrain the law-abiding  —  For James Andre Smartt-Ford, 16, Michael Dosunmu, 15, and Billy Cox, 15, the hand-wringing by police and politicians over the escalation of gun crime comes a little late: all three have been shot dead in south London over the past 10 days.

Bomb explodes in southeastern Iran  —  TEHRAN, Iran - Police and insurgents clashed after a bombing in southeastern Iran late Friday near the site where an explosion killed 11 members of the elite Revolutionary Guards this week, Iranian news agencies reported.