Senate OKs nominees after faceoff  —  The Senate confirmed a huge group of administration nominees on Thursday, following a tense exchange between President Barack Obama and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).  —  At a White House meeting with bipartisan congressional leaders on Tuesday …

Former President Bill Clinton Rushed to N.Y. Hospital  —  Clinton Had Quadruple Heart Bypass Surgery in 2004  —  Former President Bill Clinton was rushed to a Manhattan hospital late this afternoon, sources tell ABC News.  —  Clinton, 63, was transported to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital …

Sen. Reid kills Baucus bill, narrows focus of jobs legislation after complaints  —  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is rewriting a jobs bill after Democrats complained of too many concessions to Republicans.  —  Reid announced Thursday that he would cut drastically …

Patrick Kennedy to retire  —  Rhode Island Democratic Rep. Patrick Kennedy, the son of the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, will announce on Friday that he is retiring, according to Democratic insiders.  —  Kennedy, 42, was first elected to the House in 1994.  His departure will leave Congress without …

Medina Campaign Responds to Glenn Beck Interview  —  I was asked a question on the Glenn Beck show today regarding my thoughts on the so-called 9/11 truth movement.  I have never been involved with the 9/11 truth movement, and there is no doubt in my mind that Muslim terrorists flew planes into those buildings on 9/11.

Support for Gays in the Military Depends on the Question  —  Posted by Kevin Hechtkopf A new CBS News/ New York Times poll finds that the wording of the question is key when it comes to determining whether Americans support allowing gays to serve in the military.

Poll Finds Edge for Obama Over G.O.P. Among the Public  —  WASHINGTON — At a time of deepening political disaffection and intensified distress about the economy, President Obama enjoys an edge over Republicans in the battle for public support, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll.

Health Reform in Limbo, Top Drug Lobbyist Quits  —  Billy Tauzin, the former Louisiana congressman, is resigning as president of the drug industry trade group Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America amid internal disputes over its pact with the White House to trade political support …

3 House retirements spur debate on whether Republicans are losing momentum  —  A trio of House Republican retirement announcements over the past 10 days have sparked a debate between the leaders of the two major parties over whether the GOP is losing momentum in its quest to score major gains at the ballot box this fall.

House GOP document: We won showdown with President Obama  —  House Republicans won their televised debate with President Barack Obama last month, according to a GOP document distributed to lawmakers on Thursday.  —  The document, obtained by The Hill, notes that Obama's job approval ratings …

Brain Trust To Nowhere: Meet The Advisers Behind The Palin Road Show  —  As Sarah Palin relaunches her image for the next stage of her political career, there's a small set of advisers who are shaping the former governor's policy positions and public persona.

N.J. Gov. Christie Freezes Spending  —  With State's Budget In ‘Shambles,’ New Governor Slices Into School Surpluses, NJ Transit Subsidies; Dems Furious  —  TRENTON (CBS) ― The snow isn't the only thing that's causing a chill in the Garden State.  —  Calling New Jersey's budget a …

HARKIN, SHAHEEN EYE FILIBUSTER REFORM.... Nearly 15 years ago, Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Joe Lieberman presented a plan to eliminate the Senate filibuster and allow Congress to pass bills by majority rule.  The bill failed miserably, 76 to 19.  —  About a month ago, the progressive Iowan signaled his interest in trying again.