Climactic Senate Finance committee vote set for Tuesday on 10-year, $829B health care bill

WASHINGTON — The Senate’s top Democrat on Thursday accused Republicans of a strategy of “distortion, distractions and deception” on health care as he announced a pivotal committee will vote next week on a comprehensive bill. Republicans said the legislation still costs too much and expands the reach of government.

Rep. Frank: Banks aren’t playing nice, Congress should move up enactment of credit card bill

WASHINGTON — Rep. Barney Frank, the tough-talking liberal ushering through a major rewrite of rules governing Wall Street, sounded a warning shot on Thursday to big banks: Start playing nice or Congress will make your life even more difficult.

Climactic Senate Finance committeevote scheduled Tuesday on 10-year, $829B health care bill

WASHINGTON — The top Senate Democrat says the final committee vote on health care legislation will take place next week.

Congress to consider bill that would ease Calif. water transfers, aid drought-stricken farms

WASHINGTON — Democratic lawmakers from California have introduced legislation intended to increase the flow of water to the state’s parched San Joaquin Valley, where farmers have idled thousands of acres.

Federal officials reject a ban on air shipments of lithium batteries despite fire concerns

WASHINGTON — Federal regulators have turned down a request by a pilots union to ban air shipments of lithium batteries despite three new incidents in which battery shipments caught fire.

2nd hearing on bill proposing ban on importation of foreign nuclear waste set for next week

SALT LAKE CITY — An effort to ban the importation of foreign nuclear waste has been given new life with a hearing set for next week in Washington, D.C.

Nutrition, food stamp, dairy programs among winners in spending bill

WASHINGTON — Nutrition, food stamp and dairy aid programs were among the winners as the House on Wednesday approved a $121 billion agriculture spending bill for the 2010 budget year.

Boost for health care bill: Now estimated to cover 94 percent of US, cost $829 billion

WASHINGTON — Democrats are breathing a sigh of relief after a positive cost report on health care overhaul gave them a chance to rally around a Senate plan that significantly expands coverage while trimming the federal deficit.

Executives urge senators to pass climate bill, argue it will spur new energy technologies

WASHINGTON — Executives from about 150 companies, many involved in renewable energy technologies, heard a pep talk at the White House and then combed the halls of Congress on Wednesday to argue for passage of a climate bill that is facing an uphill fight in the Senate.

CBO says health Care bill to expand coverage to 94 percent at 10-year cost of $829 billion

WASHINGTON — Health care legislation drafted by a key Senate committee would expand coverage to 94 percent of all eligible Americans at a 10-year cost of $829 billion, congressional budget experts said Wednesday, a preliminary estimate likely to power the measure past a major hurdle within days.

CBO: health Care bill expands coverage to 94 percent of eligible coverage

WASHINGTON — Health care legislation drafted by a key Senate committee would expand coverage to 94 percent of all eligible Americans at a 10-year cost of $829 billion, congressional budget experts said Wednesday, a preliminary estimate likely to power the measure past a major hurdle within days.

Senate health care bill estimated to cost $829 billion, cover 94 percent of Americans

WASHINGTON — Health care legislation drafted by a key Senate committee would expand coverage to 94 percent of the eligible population at a 10-year cost of $829 billion, congressional budget experts said Wednesday in a preliminary estimate.

Feds designate southwest Alaska shoreline as protected habitat for threatened sea otters

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Four years after being placed on the Endangered Species List, the dwindling sea otters of southwest Alaska on Wednesday were given an important recovery tool.

Senate approves apology to American Indians for history of violence against tribes

WASHINGTON — The Senate has approved a resolution apologizing to American Indians for years of “ill-conceived policies” and acts of violence by U.S. citizens.

EPA to meet with Texas regulators on how to fix state’s often-criticized pollution rules

DALLAS — Federal regulators who ruled Texas’ often-criticized oversight of industrial air pollution is out of line with federal law are taking the first step to change the state’s air-permit rules.

Quieter than health overhaul foes, grass-roots supporters are working hard, Obama camp says

NEW YORK — Fired up? Ready to go? You might not know it from the way President Barack Obama’s grass-roots supporters have been largely drowned out in the raucous debate over his health care plan.

Regulators warn 10 mining companies about potential health, safety violations

WASHINGTON — Federal safety regulators on Wednesday warned 10 mining companies that their operations have a potential pattern of health or safety violations.

Divided Senate panel approves labor nominee despite GOP concerns about inaccurate testimony

WASHINGTON — A sharply divided Senate panel on Wednesday approved New York state’s labor commissioner for the No. 3 post at the Labor Department, despite GOP claims that she gave lawmakers inaccurate testimony.

Regulators ask Congress to revamp proposal and tighten oversight of derivatives

WASHINGTON — Federal regulators on Wednesday asked a House panel to strengthen proposed legislation that would impose new oversight on derivatives, complex financial instruments blamed by regulators for hastening the financial crisis. Republican lawmakers contend the measure already could eliminate jobs and stifle companies’ ability to manage risks.

Federal judge sets deadline for amended deal in Google’s battle over digital book rights

NEW YORK — A federal judge set a Nov. 9 deadline Wednesday for submission of a revised agreement in the battle over Google Inc.’s effort to get digital rights to millions of out-of-print books. Then the debate over the fairness of the plan will resume.

Texas activists sue state over lack of greenhouse gas restrictions for new power plants

DALLAS — Environmental activists sued the Texas environmental agency Tuesday in an effort to force the state to regulate greenhouse gases, asking that coal-fired power plant projects be halted until that happens.

Bank of America vows not to change credit card rates before February

NEW YORK — Bank of America Corp. on Tuesday pledged not to hike credit card interest rates or fees before a new law intended to reform industry practices takes effect in February.

Say one thing, do another: Investors focus on past fund returns, even when they get cost data

BOSTON — A study by university researchers suggests the adage about horses not drinking even if you lead them to water is also true of mutual fund investors.

Verizon Wireless, Google team up to develop new Android smart phones, tackle iPhone challenge

NEW YORK — Verizon Wireless and Google Inc. are teaming up to tackle the challenge posed by the iPhone, saying they will collaborate closely to create wireless devices that use Google’s software.

US trade officials to begin investigation over claim that Toyota violated hybrid patents

NEW YORK — Trade regulators are launching an investigation into whether Toyota violated patents held by a Florida-based hybrid technology company.

EPA issues final rule for testing, disinfection of onboard airline water to eliminate bacteria

WASHINGTON — Federal regulators are issuing final rules requiring airlines to test and disinfect the water served to passengers and used in plane lavatories.

Lawmakers split on proposals to revamp financial rules affecting investors

WASHINGTON — Regulators and investor advocates voiced support Tuesday for a proposal that addresses consumer protection and would bring investment funds under government supervision as part of Congress’ efforts to revamp the U.S. financial rule book.

Administration officials say Iran will be punished if it doesn’t cooperate

WASHINGTON — Administration officials told impatient lawmakers Tuesday that they are ready to take swift and substantial action against Iran if it disregards current diplomatic efforts to stop its alleged nuclear weapons program.

GOP backing off scolding Democrat over ‘die quickly’ remark, says matter best left to voters

WASHINGTON — House Republicans are backing off an effort to reprimand a Florida congressman for saying the GOP’s health care plans amount to wanting sick people to “die quickly.”

House panel puts financial overhaul focus on investor protection, supervising investment funds

WASHINGTON — House lawmakers crafting legislation to overhaul the system of financial regulation are focusing on the key elements of investor protection and bringing investment funds under government supervision as they hear the views of regulators, industry officials and investor advocates.