New Congress opens pledging to rescue economy
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Capitol rang loud with vows to fix the crisis-ridden economy Tuesday as Congress opened for business at the dawn of a new Democratic era. "We need action and we need action now," said Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Republicans agreed, and pledged cooperation in Congress as well as with President-elect Barack Obama - to a point....

Obama bans earmarks from big economic package
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President-elect Barack Obama says he will bar pork-barrel projects from the massive economic stimulus bill he wants Congress to pass....

IRS agents soften heart for delinquent taxpayers
WASHINGTON (AP) -- As the nation sinks deeper into recession, the IRS is offering to waive late penalties, negotiate new payment plans and postpone asset seizures for delinquent taxpayers who are financially strapped, but make a good-faith effort to settle their tax debts....

Former Blackwater guards plead not guilty
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Five former Blackwater Worldwide security guards pleaded not guilty Tuesday to federal manslaughter and gun charges resulting from a 2007 shooting in a crowded Baghdad square that killed 17 Iraqi civilians and injured dozens of others....

Social Security unveils new online application
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Social Security Administration, envisaging the near-future prospect of 10,000 baby boomers applying for benefits every day, has put together a new online service that will allow people to get their benefits without ever traveling to a Social Security field office....

CNN: Gupta approached about surgeon general post
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President-elect Barack Obama has approached CNN's chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, about becoming the country's next surgeon general, the cable network said Tuesday....

Businessman linked to Richardson donated to Obama
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A prominent businessman caught up in a grand jury probe whose political donations ended any role for New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson in the Obama administration also was a generous contributor in support of the president-elect....

Ex-Fla. Gov. Jeb Bush won't run for Senate in 2010
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Former Gov. Jeb Bush announced Tuesday that he won't run for the U.S. Senate in 2010 to replace the retiring Mel Martinez, saying that it was not the right time to return to elected office....

Democratic leaders seek to resolve Burris saga
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Roland Burris failed to capture President-elect Barack Obama's old Senate seat Tuesday in a wild piece of political theater, but the Democrats' opposition cracked when a key chairwoman said seating him was simply the legal thing to do. Democratic leaders, set to meet with Burris on Wednesday, were searching for a way to defuse the dispute before it further overshadows the 111th Congress....

Shinseki pledges to fix gaps in veterans' care
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Retired Gen. Eric K. Shinseki pledged to move quickly to fix gaps in health care if confirmed as Veterans Affairs secretary, saying he will reopen benefits to hundreds of thousands of middle-income veterans denied during the Bush administration....