Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney's husband, Clifton Maloney,passed away Friday during a mountain climbing trip in Tibet. A spokesman for Congresswoman Maloney reported that he died from natural causes in his sleep after he summited the mountain at 27,000 feet. Clifton Maloney was 71.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said she would allow a floor vote later this year on a single payer health care option after Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-NY, agreed to remove a proposed amendment for inclusion in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s version of a healthcare reform bill.

The verdict is in on Independent Democratic Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut. He will keep his chairmanship but lose his position on another panel.

The Access Act is gaining support from both sides of the aisle in congress and the senate. Several members of the Congressional Black Caucus have just signed on. Please write your representatives and senators to request their support of the Access Act.

A petition has been created (link below) that will also be sent to The Hill.

Bush blames the Congress of hectoring and says that Iraqi leaders don't need that as they are making progress.

President Bush has urged the U.S. Congress to pass several bills, including controversial surveillance legislation that allows the U.S. government to monitor communications in connection with terrorism investigations.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates, and the commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, are emphasizing the importance of NATO cooperation in the fight against insurgents. VOA's Dan Robinson reports from Capitol Hill.

President Bush has thanked the U.S. Congress for approving a free trade deal with Peru and is urging lawmakers to pass similar agreements with Colombia and Panama.

United States President George W Bush has urged Congress to approve "as soon as possible" an economic stimulus plan, after his administration and the House of Representatives announced a deal on the package overnight.

President Bush and members of Congress have been discussing how to stimulate the U.S. economy, which has seen growth hurt by tightening credit in the wake of the sub-prime mortgage crisis.

The U.S., Congress has begun a two week holiday break with major government funding legislation left unfinished, and amid continuing battles between Democrats and Republicans, and between Democrats and President Bush, over spending on everything from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to important domestic programs.