FACT CHECK: Obama says insurance mandate is not a tax, but legislation says otherwise

WASHINGTON — Memo to President Barack Obama: It’s a tax.

Sen. Max Baucus changes his health care bill to reflect concerns of Democrats, key Republican

WASHINGTON — The chairman of the Senate Finance Committee was revising his sweeping health care bill Monday to address serious concerns from fellow Democrats and a key Republican about insurance costs, part of his ongoing struggle to deliver on President Barack Obama’s top domestic priority.

Baucus changing health bill to address affordability concerns of fellow Democrats

WASHINGTON — The chairman of the Senate Finance Committee was revising his sweeping health care bill Monday to address serious concerns from fellow Democrats and a key Republican about insurance costs, part of his ongoing struggle to deliver on President Barack Obama’s top domestic priority.

Germany’s pro-business Free Democrats aim to get back into government amid economic crisis

BERLIN — The traditional kingmaker of German politics — the Free Democrats — hope to return to government this weekend after 11 years in opposition, thanks to their popular pro-business line in a time of economic crisis.

SPIN METER: Ballyhooed in May, health industry pledge to save $2 trillion seems forgotten

WASHINGTON — It was a watershed moment in the health care struggle: Leaders of the insurance, hospital and other medical industries stood with President Barack Obama at the White House and promised steps to save $2 trillion over the next decade.

GOP senator says Obama is everywhere except cooking shows pitching health care overhaul

WASHINGTON — One GOP senator says it seems the only place on TV that President Barack Obama hasn’t been seen is on cooking shows.

GOP leader: Obama would create 51 boards, commissions to swell government role in health care

WASHINGTON — The top House Republican says President Barack Obama’s proposed health care overhaul would create 51 new boards or commissions and isn’t needed.

Romney taunts Democrats with memories of Carter; Republicans finding renewed hopes

WASHINGTON — Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney reflects conservatives’ growing confidence when he taunts Democrats, saying “I’ll bet you never dreamed you’d look back at Jimmy Carter as the good old days.”

FCC chief will propose new ‘Net neutrality’ rules on Monday, agency official says

The head of the FCC plans to propose new rules that would prohibit Internet service providers from interfering with the free flow of information and certain applications over their networks, an official at the agency said Saturday.

NY Times: Edwards aide who claimed paternity of mistress’ child says Edwards fathered child

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — A man who once claimed to have fathered the child of John Edwards’ mistress says in a book proposal the former presidential candidate is the real father and that he and Edwards worked with his campaign finance chairman to hide that secret, according to a newspaper report published online Saturday.

Asian leaders aim to press greater voice on global financial decisions, will face demands too

WASHINGTON — Asian leaders at this week’s economic summit will demand a greater voice in the way global financial institutions make crucial decisions. Likewise, the world’s established powers will have some demands of their own.

Who’s who: A look at the 23 members of the Senate Finance Committee as they debate health care

The Senate Finance Committee begins work on a health care overhaul bill Tuesday. A look at the committee members:

Senate committee that’s choke point on health care bill is next battle for divided Democrats

WASHINGTON — Keep going. You don’t have to fix all of it now. Just please don’t let it stall. That’s the essence of the message that Senate Democratic leaders have for their Finance Committee senators, who plan to start voting Tuesday on a remake of the nation’s health care system.

GOP lawmaker warns against health care changes, says government involvement brings delays

WASHINGTON — A GOP congresswoman grateful for quick detection of her breast cancer says Democratic health overhaul plans could mean life-threatening delays in treatment.

Reports say the FCC will propose new rules on the free flow of information on the Internet

The head of the FCC plans to propose new rules that would prohibit Internet service providers from interfering with the free flow of information and certain applications over their networks, according to reports published Saturday.

Asian countries at G-20 push for greater decision-making role, face demands on climate, trade

WASHINGTON — Asian leaders gathering at next week’s economic summit in Pittsburgh will be demanding a greater voice in the way global financial institutions make crucial decisions. Likewise, the world’s established powers will have some demands of their own for the rising Asian nations.

Irving Kristol, political thinker, writer and godfather of neoconservatism, dead at 89

WASHINGTON — Irving Kristol, the writer, editor and publisher known as the godfather of neoconservatism whose youthful radicalism evolved into a historic rejection of communism, liberalism and the counterculture, has died. He was 89.

If conservatives are gathering, so are Republicans testing presidential waters

WASHINGTON — If conservatives are gathering, count on Republicans weighing presidential bids to do the same.

Political writer Irving Kristol dead at 89

WASHINGTON — Irving Kristol, the writer, editor and publisher known as the godfather of neoconservatism whose youthful radicalism evolved into a historic rejection of communism, liberalism and the counterculture, died Friday. He was 89.

Polls: Merkel on track for new center-right coalition in German election

BERLIN — Chancellor Angela Merkel drew encouragement Friday from polls that showed her on track to form a new center-right government after Germany’s national election, and pushed her agenda of tax relief to stimulate growth.

More challenges await lawmaker as Obama pushes to get health overhaul done

WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats see plenty of room for improvement in a sweeping health care overhaul bill, starting with changes to a tax on high-cost insurance policies that could hit middle-class Americans hard.

House Roll Call: How they voted on college aid

The 253-171 roll call Thursday by which the House passed a bill to overhaul college aid programs.

Analysis: Baucus incurs criticism from both sides in search for bipartisanship

WASHINGTON — His fellow Democrats shuddered and Republicans sneered when Sen. Max Baucus unveiled legislation to remake the health care system. Now, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee gamely insists that it can pass the Senate, core provisions intact.

Proposed tax on high-value insurance plans sparking concerns among congressional Democrats

WASHINGTON — Unhappy Senate Democrats on Thursday found plenty to complain about in the fine print of the latest health overhaul bill, particularly a tax provision they fear would hit hard at middle-class Americans, from coal miners in West Virginia to firefighters in New York.

House Roll Call: How they voted on ACORN defunding

The 345-75 roll call Thursday by which the House amended the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009 to deny all federal funds to the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, commonly known as ACORN.

GOP lawmakers want details on Afghanistan war plans; Gates urges time for Obama to study plans

WASHINGTON — Republican lawmakers turned up the pressure Thursday for more details on the war in Afghanistan, but Defense Secretary Robert Gates said “everybody should take a deep breath” and let the administration devise strategy at its own pace.

GOP lawmakers demand information on Afghanistan; Gates urges time for Obama to study plans

WASHINGTON — Republican lawmakers are turning up the pressure for more information over the direction of the stalemated war in Afghanistan.

Obama pushes health plan at rally, but deep divisions foretell rough road ahead

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — President Barack Obama called reinventing health care a “defining struggle of this generation” on Thursday, even as several Democrats criticized some of the fine print in a Senate proposal the president has praised.

GOP Chairman Steele wary of health care cooperatives, calls them ‘back door’ to public option

WASHINGTON — Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele says he fears the health insurance cooperatives envisioned in the bill the Senate Finance Committee is promoting amounts to a “back door to a public option.”

PROMISES, PROMISES: Much lobbyist fundraising still off the books despite ethics law

WASHINGTON — Few members of Congress are disclosing that lobbyists are helping them raise campaign cash despite a new law that was supposed to shed light on the ties between lawmakers and the capital’s influence brokers, an Associated Press review found.