Politics - US Congress latest news

Sens. Barack obama and John mccain are both proposing dramatic changes to Social security, taking on the financially fragile "third rail of American politics" that Congress and recent presidents have been unable to repair.

A nominee for a federal judgeship who has been accused of plagiarism said yesterday that he will not withdraw his nomination because he fully disclosed the controversy to both White House officials and the FBI during interviews for the job.

AP - A mortgage rescue plan to save hundreds of thousands of homeowners from foreclosure drew overwhelming Senate support, inching toward passage despite Republican objections.

AP - If veteran Connecticut Sen. Christopher Dodd's trademark jaunty smile seems a bit forced these days, it's no surprise.

AP - Assisted suicide advocate Jack Kevorkian has collected enough signatures to be on the November ballot as a congressional candidate in Michigan.

RALEIGH, N.C., July 8 -- Jesse Helms, whose 30-year career in the U.S. Senate helped redefine conservatism, was remembered Tuesday as a gracious friend and formidable foe during a funeral service that packed a Raleigh Baptist church.

Medicare has paid as much as $92 million since 2000 to medical suppliers who billed the government for wheelchairs and other home equipment purportedly prescribed by physicians who, according to records, were dead at the time, congressional investigators said today.

AP - Sellers of wheelchairs, drugs and other medical supplies collected as much as $93 million in fraudulent Medicare claims based on prescriptions from doctors who actually were dead, some for 10 years or more, a congressional investigation has found.

AP - A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit by former Congressman Gary Condit claiming author Dominick Dunne slandered him over the death of a young female intern.

AP - The House took steps Tuesday to keep shark fins out of soups served in pricey Asian restaurants.