
Senate Democrats voted unanimously Saturday night for debate to begin on mammoth health care legislation but several "ayes" could peel off in the month ahead as lawmakers negotiate a bill that is expected to have hundreds of amendments and face considerable haggling.
Sen. Tom Coburn on Sunday denied that he had a role in helping Sen. John Ensign negotiate a payoff of a former aide and close friend, whose wife had an affair with the Nevada Republican senator.
Scott Fenstermaker, the lawyer for accused terrorist Ali Abd al-Aziz Ali, said the five detainees to be tried in New York would not deny their role in the 2001 attacks but "would explain what happened and why they did it."