Washington

Senate Republicans are trying to change the nation's health insurance system to encourage small businesses to offer coverage. But Democrats are worried the bill may reduce coverage for millions who are already insured. Helen Palmer reports.

Vice President Cheney visits Kazakhstan today. One topic of discussion: Kazakhstan's vast oil and gas reserves. Cheryl Glaser has the story.

Ethanol made from corn seems to be the new darling of Washington's energy planning, but tough questions remain about its overall economic value. Curt Nickisch reports.

Federal health authorities today issued more than a billion dollars worth of contracts to speed the production of vaccines in preparation for a possible avian flu pandemic. Hillary Wicai reports.

The Senate is expected to approve more than $100 billion in emergency spending today after weeks of debate. But as Hillary Wicai reports, the real fight is just beginning.

The scramble to do something about gas prices continues on Capitol Hill but critics claim Congress is only tinkering at the edges of the real problems. John Dimsdale does a little history on gas price legislation — and fear of price gouging.

The House of Representatives is considering lobbying reforms today, but compared to what some critics are calling for, the House bill seems rather...lenient. Scott Tong tells us what was left out of the legislation.

Ten states sued the federal government today to strengthen gas mileage requirements for SUVs. John Dimsdale reports on what may be a major attack on the country's Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards.

The Bush administration has a plan to deal with a massive bird flu epidemic. But what role should the government play — and what costs should private business bear? Hillary Wicai reports.

Up to 40% of the federal workforce is expected to retire over the next 10 years, according to figures released Monday. As Cheryl Glaser reports, the government is going to have to change if it wants to attract and retain employees.