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:

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.

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.

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.

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 …

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.

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.

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

Why's He Gotta Go Making Life Hard for Bigots?  —  By now, you've probably heard about the flap over former Miami Heat baller Tim Hardaway's repugnant radio interview, in which he reacted to news that fellow NBA alum John Amachi is gay by proclaiming his hatred of gay people and declaring that homosexuality …

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.

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 …