Congress

WASHINGTON (AP) -- In a major victory for President Barack Obama, Democrats muscled a huge, $787 billion stimulus bill through Congress late Friday night in hopes of combating the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Republican opposition was nearly unanimous. The Senate approved the measure 60-38 with three GOP moderates providing crucial support. Hours earlier, the House vote was 246-183, with all Republicans opposed to the package of tax cuts and federal spending that Obama has made the centerpiece of his plan for economic recovery.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- All-Star shortstop Miguel Tejada has been charged with lying to Congress about steroids. Tejada is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday, where he is expected to plead guilty. The charges against Tejada, a former player for the Oakland Athletics and Baltimore Orioles who currently plays for the Houston Astros, were outlined in documents filed in Washington federal court on Tuesday. The documents indicate that a plea agreement has been reached with Tejada.

WASHINGTON - Here's how area members of Congress voted on major roll call votes in the week ending Feb. 6. HOUSE Children's health insurance Voting 290 for and 135 against, the House on Feb. 4 sent President Obama a bill (HR 2) expanding State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) coverage from 6.6 million children to about 11 million children. The bill would renew SCHIP for five years at a cost of $60 billion, up nearly $35 billion from current levels, and raise federal tobacco taxes from 39 cents per pack to $1 per pack to pay the added costs.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama signed an equal pay bill into law Thursday, declaring that it's a family issue, not just a women's issue. The president picked the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act for the first piece of legislation to sign as president. He appeared before a packed East Room audience for a ceremony, and Ledbetter stood at his side. His entrance in the room was met with hearty cheers from the many labor and women's groups represented there. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the first woman speaker in the history of Congress, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, were present.

WASHINGTON COUNTY -- Area residents weighed in Wednesday on Democratic congressional leaders' plan to support a financial bailout for the troubled U.S. auto industry. Tim Williams, 46, of Hagerstown, said he does not favor a bailout, saying the government partially is responsible for the state of the industry, but he feels Congress has its hands tied after the banking bailout. "I didn't agree with them bailing out the banks, but since they have done that, they almost have to bail out the auto industry as well," Williams said.

Voters in Maryland's 6th District sent Roscoe Bartlett back to Congress for a ninth two-year term Tuesday. Bartlett had a commanding lead over Democrat Jennifer P. Dougherty -- 58 percent to 39 percent -- with about 98 percent of the 6th District precincts counted. The third candidate in the race, Libertarian Gary W. Hoover Sr., had about 3 percent. "We're very pleased and honored," said Bartlett, a Republican who lives near Frederick, Md. He attributed his success to being responsive to his district, particularly through four local offices.

Rescue plan will help economy To the editor: While the stock market continues to show some volatility from day to day, the financial rescue plan approved by Congress in early October was a major step toward stabilizing the economy. The rescue plan will be helpful to small businesses, in particular, because they often need to borrow money to expand, add equipment or hire employees. There must be liquidity in financial markets so that businesses of all sizes are able to grow.

Candidates speak The candidates for Maryland's 6th District seat in Congress talk about an issue on everyone's mind - the economy.

A C-SPAN broadcast made Gary W. Hoover Sr. of Clear Spring disgusted with his political party and Congress. He said he woke up in the middle of the night, when the TV was on, and saw a congressional committee voting only along party lines, refusing to bend, even for good ideas, which angered him. He vowed then to leave the Democratic Party, which he did. Now, he's running for Congress with the Libertarian Party. Hoover, a former police officer who now runs a car dealership, is trying to unseat U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett.