Congress

We might not be getting a jobs report this Friday.

Now that a nomination fight over Larry Summers has been avoided, Washington can get back to work fixing the economy.

August was once a quiet time in the political realm, thanks to the annual Congressional recess, but now activists use the time to push their agenda -- and Washington message-makers cash in.

Brace yourself. The debt ceiling showdown is coming back.

It's good news for the approximately 640,000 furloughed Department of Defense employees that there will be only six furlough days instead of 11. But it's still a hardship for many of them.

Newly revealed documents suggest deeper and more widespread NSA surveillance of emails and chat messages. And Oakland, California approves a plan for a new local surveillance center.

The House narrowly defeated an amendment that would have ended funding for mass collection of phone records and other data by the NSA.

The House of Representatives votes on an amendment to take away money from the NSA today. It's part of the $500 billion defense spending bill and it's got the tech industry up in arms.

The Senate Banking Committee is holding a hearing today on bank investments in things like warehouses and oil refineries, and commodities such as metals and oil.

Fed chair Ben Bernanke heads to Capitol Hill for his last semi-annual two-day testimony. He may face tough questions, reflecting perceived politicization of his role in the absence of coordination between Congress and the White House.