All Blog Posts from Couric & Co.

Jill Jackson is a Capitol Hill field producer for CBS News.

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Early this morning, members of the House were starting to think they might actually pass an economic rescue package hammered out in late night negotiations over the weekend. But democrats and republicans were not going to take any vote for granted – especially when the bill would commit up to $700 billion of taxpayer money. Plus, it's an election year and members are getting hundreds of calls and e-mails from constituents urging their congressmen to vote "no."

Both democratic and republican leadership committed their support to the final package. But everyone knew the vote would be tight. And that's why there are whips in the House – members of leadership who count the votes and use carrots and sticks to get members to vote a certain way. Sometimes it's arm-twisting. And sometimes they just a promise of a favor down the line. Sometimes

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Jill Jackson is a Capitol Hill field producer for CBS News.

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It's not easy to figure out whom or what, exactly, is to blame for the current financial crisis. But the latest hit this week when the Federal Reserve bailed out AIG, the largest insurance company in the world, got members of the House ready to point fingers. It was the final straw in a series of economic rescues and interventions by the Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve that put tax payers on the line for possibly hundreds of billions of dollars. In an election year, lawmakers do not want taxpayers – otherwise known as voters – to think they put them there.

Last night, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi started pointing her finger directly toward the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue. "The most recent bailout initiated by the Bush Administration is just another example that George Bush is a failed manager," Pelosi said after announcing hearings to investigate fraud and look at what new regulations will be needed in the future. And today, the speaker threw numerous punches at Sen. John McCain calling the presidential candidate the "greatest deregulator."

House minority leader John Boehner was confident that he could identify the source. "The root of the problem started with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac," Boehner said referring to the giant mortgage finance companies taken over by the Treasury Department last week. Then Boehner blamed the Democratic Chairmen in charge of market oversight in the House and Senate, Barney Frank and Chris Dodd. "Everyone in this town knew the regulator for Fannie and Freddie were weak," Boehner said. "But Barney Frank and Chris Dodd stood in the way of anything moving."

Fiscal conservatives in the House backed up Boehner's assertion that Fannie and Freddie are responsible. And they also blamed Democrats. But they're clearly not trusting the Bush Administration these days either. Members sent a letter to both Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke and Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson asking for assurances that there would be no more government bailouts. Rep. Michelle Bachman of Minnesota ticked off the major companies that the financial world insists are too big to fail. "What's next?" Bachman asked. "Starbucks?" ...

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Jill Jackson is a Capitol Hill field producer for CBS News.

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The House and Senate chambers are empty. Most congressional staffers are leaving at the civilized 5 o' clock hour. And the Capitol is filled with big groups of tourists in matching t-shirts disappointed that they're not seeing any lawmakers or floor action.

It must be recess.

Vince Burke traveled to Washington from Arizona with his wife, Joycelee, and their two kids, Keara and Nathan. They brought the kids to the Capitol this morning hoping to witness lawmakers in action, but found out Congress was out of session just steps too late – they were already inside. The family decided to make the best of it and took in the art and architecture. They even waited patiently to get into the House Gallery to see the empty chamber. On their way out Mr. Burke admitted it was a bit disappointing.

"You get one shot and that's it," he said. "This is the high season for tourists coming through. You'd think they'd be here."

Many Americans scrunch their nose at the idea that elected officials take "recess." After all, what are their tax dollars paying for?

The reality is that lawmakers usually take the time to return to their states or districts for important face time with constituents. They visit schools and factories and speak at Rotary Club lunches, and cut ribbons at grand openings. Going home is important for lawmakers to prove that they haven't gone "too Washington." And, on the House calendar, these times are technically called a "District Work Period."

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Jill Jackson is a Capitol Hill field producer for CBS News.

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Evan Aanerud is an engineering student with two quarters of classes left at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He is also an Iraq War veteran who served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves.

At a rally today on Capitol Hill, Aanerud told his story and shared his struggles to about 100 veterans gathering to support legislation that would update the Montgomery GI Bill. Aanerud told the crowd that when he started school he received just $282 per month. And one year ago, his benefits completely ran out.

"I was proud of my service, but after putting my life on the line, it would have been nice to get the benefits we expected," Aanerud said.

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Jill Jackson is a Capitol Hill field producer for CBS News.

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At 6:30 this morning, baseball fans and critics started lining up for an ugly moment in baseball history.

Potential hall-of-famer Roger Clemens and former trainer-turned-foe Brian McNamee were both due at the congressional hearing room at 10 a.m. to answer lawmakers' questions about Clemens' alleged steroid use … with the help of McNamee.

The public wanted to witness this event. The line went all the way from one end of a long hallway to the other. Some wore Clemens shirts to show their support.

When Clemens finally walked past, surrounded by police, the crowd's reaction was staid and quiet.

McNamee slipped into the hearing through a side entrance.

Two teenagers from Arlington, Va., waited in line for four hours. They said they are both big baseball fans – but think Clemens is a cheater. After 20 minutes in the hearing, both teens said the wait was completely worthwhile. They had gotten brief access to two of the handful of seats available for the public to rotate in to watch just a few minutes of the hearing.

It was their first congressional hearing – and they said they had witnessed history.

Plus, their parents let them skip school.

Jill Jackson is a Capitol Hill field producer for CBS News.

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There's extra incentive this year to file tax returns as early as possible. The sooner you file, the earlier the IRS will cut that check so you can spend, spend, spend and stimulate the sluggish economy.

But don't go racking up credit card debt now assuming you can pay it off with that rebate. While the House and the Bush administration managed to compromise on a fairly simple stimulus package, the Senate can't nail down when they'll even vote on the House version and a much broader plan passed by the Senate Finance Committee yesterday. It's so broad, in fact, that opponents like Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell accused the Finance Committee of taking a "Christmas tree approach" that will delay economic growth.

Cutting through the spin on both sides, what are the real differences?

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Jill Jackson is a Capitol Hill field producer for CBS News.

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At 10 a.m., House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tried in vain to leave the posh Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., after a speech on healthcare.

Reporters swarmed around the speaker in the lobby wanting confirmation that House Democrats, Republicans and the White House finally reached a deal on an economic stimulus package to give the economy a boost and avoid recession.

But Speaker Pelosi would not confirm.

Would she classify it as a tentative deal?

She would not.

Pelosi said when they're ready on a deal, she'd meet with the Democratic caucus. Presumably to get the Party on the same page and ease opponent's fears.

She said they were close and that she was hopeful when she finally reached the exit.

Then, Pelosi managed to break away from the pack, hopped into her black SUV and sped away.

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