House passes key hurdle on health-care legislation  —  Debate expected to last at least four hours, vote on landmark reform scheduled this evening  —  After receiving a pep talk from President Obama, House Democrats cleared a key procedural hurdle Saturday in the debate over expanding …

Fort Hood shooting: Texas army killer linked to September 11 terrorists  —  Major Nidal Malik Hasan worshipped at a mosque led by a radical imam said to be a “spiritual adviser” to three of the hijackers who attacked America on Sept 11, 2001.  —  Hasan, the sole suspect in the massacre …

GOP Shadegg to buck pro-lifers, party  —  Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz.) said he plans to buck right-to-life groups and his own party and vote “present” on a Democratic amendment that would prevent federal funding for abortions as part of health-care overhaul legislation.

President Obama Acknowledged Today That He and Bill Owens Pulled a Health Care Fast One on the Voters in NY-23  —  The New York Times is reporting that in his pep talk to the Democrats in Congress this morning, President Obama acknowledged that he and newly elected NY-23 Democratic Congressman Bill Owens …

GOP Gone Wild: Unruly Republicans Silence Women Lawmakers With Screams, Shouts, And Delay Tactics  —  This morning, the House began consideration of the rule for debate of the House health care bill.  As the Democratic Women's Caucus took to the microphone on the House floor to offer …

Cao May Be Sole GOP Vote In Favor of Health Bill  —  At least one Republican may vote for the Democratic health care bill, several House sources confirmed on Saturday night.  —  Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao (R-La.), a former Jesuit seminarian, is rumored to be on the fence if the House approves …

Bloodless President Barack Obama makes Americans wistful for George W Bush  —  Barack Obama's reaction to bad news is to play it so cool that Americans yearn for a bit more drama - and some even for his predecessor, writes Toby Harnden in Washington.  —  Toby Harnden's American Way

Obama leaning toward 34,000 more troops for Afghanistan  —  WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is nearing a decision to send more than 30,000 additional U.S. troops to Afghanistan next year, but he may not announce it until after he consults with key allies and completes a trip to Asia later this month …

Democratic no votes  —  House Democratic leadership saw 39 of their members vote against the bill and, with one Republican yes vote, Democrats passed sweeping health reform legislation 220-215.  While the reasons these Democrats have offered for opposing the $1.2 trillion bill vary …

Gregg: CBO cost estimate of Pelosi Plan $3 trillion; Update: Heritage says $2.4T  —  You know, Senator Gregg, talking like this won't get you an appointment to Barack Obama's Cabinet.  Oh, wait ...: … I'm not sure where Gregg gets the $3 trillion number.