In Crisis, Opportunity for Obama

Congress Postpones Stimulus Plan

Lawmakers postponed work on a sweeping stimulus package until the new Congress and administration take over next year.

• Video Analysis: Obama's Fiscal-Stimulus Challenge

Mukasey Collapses During Speech

Attorney General Mukasey collapsed while giving a speech on national security to a prominent conservative lawyers' organization. The state of his health is unknown.

Waxman Takes Over Energy Panel

Waxman succeeded in his bid to unseat Dingell, the powerful chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The shift in leadership is likely to have an impact on a host of industries, particularly the auto and energy sectors.

• Environment: A Slam Dunk for Climate Bill?

Big Three Head Home Empty-Handed

Congressional efforts to rescue Detroit's auto makers collapsed, with lawmakers saying the industry lacked credible plans to return to profitability.

• Discuss: Will GM file for bankruptcy protection?
• Graphic: Milestones for Skidding Auto Makers
• Real Time Econ: Evaluating Detroit-Lehman Link
• Video: How Big Three Can Convince Congress
• Tracker: Detroit updates; L.A. auto show

Obama's Cellphone Records Breached

Verizon Wireless disclosed that several of its employees accessed and viewed President-elect Barack Obama's personal cellphone account.

Paulson Defends Moves on Crisis

Paulson, under fire for his approach to resolving the financial-sector crisis, defended his actions as "necessary steps to prevent a financial collapse."

Harkin Sets Plan on Derivatives

Tom Harkin plans to introduce a bill that would force all over-the-counter derivatives, including credit-default swaps, onto regulated futures exchanges.

Holder Has Corporate-Crime Experience

Obama's likely choice for attorney general penned the first federal guidelines for prosecuting corporations. Some lawyers have complained that those guidelines undercut companies' legal rights.

• Video: Obama Continues to Select Cabinet Members

Experience Reigns, Not 'Change'

Early Obama appointees show experience is one of his main criteria. The key personnel pools are veterans of the Clinton era, Capitol Hill hands and influential Chicagoans.

• Gallery: On Obama's List?

Judge Orders 5 Gitmo Inmates Released

U.S. to Bolster Access to Student Loans

White House Adopts Rule Changes

Senate Probe to Look at Bond-Rating Firms

U.S., NYPD Clash on Wiretap Requests

Al Qaeda Criticizes Obama

Health-Care Revamp Has Wings