Citizen Cartwright

Congress oversees current laws and makes new ones. If you don't like the way things are or the way things are headed, write to your two senators and your representative (they pay attention to the mail — no joke — they want to be re-elected, after all). To find out who they are and to track legislation of interest to you, click on opencongress.org.

After bills passed by Congress are signed by the president and become law, the executive branch writes regulations to implement them. The public is given time to comment before the regulations are finalized. For an easy way to track regulations and comment on them, click on regulations.gov.

But do you get discouraged, thinking there's no way to compete with big-money lobbyists? Here's what veteran Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., says: "Money is important, but votes will beat money any day."

 

Military strike on Iran?

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Friday that his country wouldn't abandon its nuclear plans in response to international pressure, a day after Israeli leaders delivered what The Washington Post says is "one of the bluntest warnings to date" of possible airstrikes against Iranian nuclear sites.

Also Thursday, Washington Post columnist David Ignatius wrote that Defense Secretary Leon Panetta believes that Israel may attack Iran this spring.

Senate passes congressional insider trading bill

The bill passed 96-3 Thursday after going through what The Washington Post calls "an ethical arms race of amendments."

“This is mass repentance for past sins,” quipped Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., manager of the floor debate.

Senate leaders kept some of the strictest amendments off the floor because — given Congress' low approval rating — nobody would want to be on the side of defending, for example, a lawmaker’s right to leave Congress and make millions of dollars as a lobbyist, the Post says.

Among the amendments adopted is a requirement that people conducting "political intelligence" on lawmakers and staff for stock traders register as lobbyists do.

Another amendment would require disclosure of all residential mortgages by lawmakers and senior executive branch officials.

An amendment would bar bonuses to senior executives at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

And the bill (S 2038) was broadened to include some executive branch employees.

The bill is expected on the House floor next week.

SEC's treatment of big banks at issue

While the agency has increased its investigations of Wall Street in the last decade, it has repeatedly allowed the biggest companies to avoid punishments specifically meant to apply to fraud cases, The New York Times says after an analysis of SEC probes.

SEC officials say they've given the companies exemptions to keep the stock and bond markets open to firms with legitimate capital-raising needs. And ensuring such access is as important to its mission as protecting investors, according to the regulators.

Another win for consumers on fees

Sallie Mae, the country's biggest private student-loan provider, has changed its fee policy in response to an online Change.org petition started by an unemployed recent graduate named Stef Gray.

The website hosted petitions last year targeting planned new fees by Bank of America and Verizon. Both companies backed down.

Also in the news

Obama administration tries to ease confusion over Afghan exit plans

Somalia famine is over but millions still need support, U.N. says

Cambodia's U.N.-backed genocide court sentences Khmer Rouge jailer to life

Obama's new jobs plan for veterans includes conservation program

Redistricted North Carolina Democratic Rep. Shuler won't seek re-election

Supporters rally around Planned Parenthood after Komen grant cut

Susceptibility to drug addiction is inherited but can be overcome, study suggests

Multiple procedures requiring anesthesia for young children linked to ADHD later on

Panetta: Afghan combat operations to end next year

The defense secretary's comments mark the first time that the United States has put a date on stepping back from its central role in the war, The New York Times says.

The news appears to have taken Afghan officials by surprise, Reuters reports.

Meanwhile, Taliban captives interrogated by the U.S. military are convinced that they're winning the war, according to a NATO report.

Insider trading bill besieged by riders

Backers of the bill (S 2038) who hoped the Senate would quickly pass it are dismayed by the grab bag of amendments being proposed.

Among them are amendments as unlikely as ending pensions for retired senators who become lobbyists and a constitutional amendment imposing term limits on members of Congress.

“Part of what frustrates people around here is that we can’t focus for five minutes to get something accomplished,” says retiring Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D. “Instead, everything becomes a Christmas tree and then, guess what? It never passes.”

New Alzheimer's findings

The disease seems to spread like an infection from one brain cell to another, according to two studies from Columbia and Harvard that researchers say have immediate implications for developing treatments.

No winter for Punxsutawney prognostication

When Punxsutawney Phil is so rudely awakened this Groundhog Day for his annual weather forecast, he'll be hot in his fur coat amid the country's unusually warm winter weather.

The unusual temperatures are a result of changes in Arctic winds, The Associated Press says.

Also in the news

ACLU sues to force release of records on drone attacks against U.S. citizens

Obama details proposal to help homeowners refinance their mortgages

Proposed mortgage settlement would give states enforcement clout

House votes to freeze pay of lawmakers, their staffs, civilian federal employees

Indiana becomes Rust Belt's first right-to-work state

Washington set to become seventh state to allow gay marriage

Romney, Paul in 'strategic alliance' between establishment and outsider

Facebook on track for one of biggest U.S. stock market debuts of all time

Worrying too much may raise your risk of stroke

Pediatricians' group recommends human papillomavirus vaccine for boys