End in sight, health care battle tilts Obama's way
(AP)
AP - One by one, House Democratic fence-sitters began choosing sides Friday, and the long, turbulent struggle over landmark health care legislation tilted unmistakably in President Barack Obama's direction.
Final health bill omits some of Obama's promises
(AP)
AP - It was a bold response to skyrocketing health insurance premiums. President Barack Obama would give federal authorities the power to block unreasonable rate hikes.
World diplomats urge resumption of Mideast talks
(AP)
AP - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton suggested Friday that the United States and Israel have found a way around the worst disagreement the two allies have faced in years while international diplomats set goals for new U.S.-backed peace talks aimed at establishing an independent Palestinian state.
Poll: Romney leads 2012 field
(Politico)
Politico - Former Mass. Gov. Romney leads his GOP rivals for the party's 2012 presidential nomination.
As sparks fly, Dems close in on 216
(Politico)
Politico - House leaders are negotiating with some reps. to free up anti-abortion lawmakers' votes.
Report: USDA lax in watching organics market
(AP)
AP - The Agriculture Department has failed to enforce penalties against some who falsely marketed foods as organic, according to an internal department investigation.
PROMISES, PROMISES: Obama in immigration dance
(AP)
AP - President Barack Obama promised to make overhauling the immigration system a top priority in his first year as president. He's now in Year Two, and the odds that he'll get to sign a bill before the November midterm elections appear long.
House Democrats see momentum on health bill
(Reuters)
Reuters - Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives pushed undecided members for support and voiced growing confidence on Friday they will win a close vote on final passage of a sweeping healthcare overhaul.
US military deaths in Afghan region at 939
(AP)
AP - As of Friday, March 19, 2010, at least 939 members of the U.S. military had died in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan as a result of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001, according to an Associated Press count.
Even before House vote on healthcare bill, legal challenges loom
(The Christian Science Monitor)
The Christian Science Monitor - As congressional leaders and the White House push to attract the remaining votes needed to pass a healthcare reform measure this weekend, opponents are poised to take their fight to the courts, and potentially all the way to the US Supreme Court.