Egypt Protests Turn Violent  —  Pro- and Anti-Mubarak Crowds Collide in the Worst Clashes Since Friday  —  We just got back to the hotel after trying to film on the bridge into Tahrir Square.  —  An angry mob surrounded us and chased us into the car shouting that they hate America.

Senate rejects healthcare repeal  —  The Senate on Wednesday voted down a repeal of President Obama's healthcare law in a 47-51 party-line vote.  —  The vote came two weeks to the day the Republican House voted 245-189 to repeal the law, and just days after a federal judge ruled Obama's …

White House reporters complain Obama is shutting them out  —  White House reporters criticized President Obama on Wednesday for providing too little information and access to the media during the crisis in Egypt.  —  In a letter to White House press secretary Robert Gibbs …

SEIU fights healthcare repeal after obtaining waivers from law  —  The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) is lobbying hard against the amendment offered by Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) to repeal the healthcare reform law.  —  SEIU has sent e-mails …

DCCC GETS TARGETS' ATTENTION.... The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, working under the assumption that spending cuts aren't nearly as popular as Republicans might think, launched an interesting ad campaign this week.  Today, we saw the first signs that the offensive has gotten the Republicans' attention.

Enviro Groups' Public Health Pivot in Support of EPA Regs Hitting Red States Too  —  The first signs of a shift came even before Election Day 2010, arriving as letters (pdf) and dramatic ads (pdf).  But as the 112th Congress gets to work, environmental groups are stepping up their transition toward …

Reagan's Solicitor General Charles Fried: ‘I Am Quite Sure That The Health Care Mandate Is Constitutional’  —  In a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing today on “The Constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act,” President Ronald Reagan's former Solicitor General — Harvard Law Professor Charles Fried …

Florida to Barack Obama: Keep your health care reform cash  —  No thanks.  That's what the state of Florida is saying to the Obama administration, declining a $1 million grant to implement the health law.  —  The move follows this week's federal court decision declaring the law unconstitutional.

Paul: Should the Tea Party compromise?  —  Washington (CNN) - During his first speech on the Senate floor, Tea Party champion Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, brought up what may be a dirty word for some of his constituents: compromise.  —  “Many ask will the Tea Party compromise?

Mitch Daniels Playing With Fire  —  Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels may very well run for President.  If he does, he's got some work to do with social conservatives.  —  The other day on Laura Ingraham's radio show, Daniels re-iterated his call for a “truce” on social issues while America gets its economic house in order.

News Releases from Headquarters  — EPA Home - Newsroom - News Releases from Headquarters - EPA To Develop Regulation for Perchlorate and Toxic ....  EPA To Develop Regulation for Perchlorate and Toxic Chemicals in Drinking Water  —  Contact Information: Jalil Isa (News Media Only) …

We're All Terrorists Now  —  The Tennessee ACLU sent a letter to public schools warning them not to celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday.  The Tennessee Fusion Center (H/T Uncle) put the communication on its map of “terrorism events and other suspicious activity”:

A Toast to Your Health  —  Warning: Alcohol may increase your life expectancy and reduce dementia.  —  The U.S. Department of Agriculture released its 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans on Monday.  There weren't many surprises in its recommendations to reduce fat and salt, eat whole grains, and cut the overall amount we eat.