AP - WASHINGTON AP) — Unable to muster bipartisan agreement on key banking provisions, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd said Thursday he will offer his own version of a sweeping overhaul of financial regulations without Republican support. "Clearly, we need to move along," he said.

AP - Over the years, "Little Billy" learned much from the country's top minds.

AP - House Democrats have stopped a Republican bid to force an investigation into whether Democratic leaders covered up allegations that former Rep. Eric Massa sexually harassed male employees.

AP - In an election-year appeal to voters frustrated with Washington, House Republicans promised Thursday not to stuff any of this year's spending bills with pet projects for their districts.

AFP - In a boost to President Barack Obama's flagship reform drive, the Congressional Budget Office said Thursday a Senate health care bill would cut the deficit by 118 billion dollars.

CQPolitics.com - House Republicans voted among themselves Thursday to forgo earmark requests for a year -- a move designed to trump a more limited curb on member-directed spending adopted by Democrats a day ago.