Washington

Washington was rocked this morning by a USA Today story revealing that three major phone companies sold the phone records of millions of Americans to the government. John Dimsdale reports.

While lawmakers trumpet the positive impact the tax cuts have had on the economy, many special interests and big companies are getting big breaks from the fine print of the deal too. Scott Tong reports.

If a bird flu pandemic hits, the vaccine is almost certain to be in short supply — and there's debate about who should get it. Helen Palmer reports.

In reporting his piece on <a href="http://marketplace.publicradio.org/shows/2006/05/02/PM200605024.html">corporate laptop theft</a> last week, Sean Cole happened upon the story of a data security breach that sent one CEO marching off to Washington to crusade for stricter information security laws.

The White House and Congress are trying to crack down on what they call gas price gouging. But at the same time, they want to give more subsidies to oil and gas companies. Commentator and economist Glenn Hubbard is very confused.

The Senate is expected to pass a tax bill today extending many of President Bush's tax cuts through 2010. The move is intended to make it very hard for whatever party controls Congress in 2010 to raise taxes again. John Dimsdale explains.

Congressional Republicans agreed to pass $70 billion in tax cut extensions Tuesday despite criticism the move could worsen the federal budget deficit. Tess Vigeland reports.

President Bush and House Majority Leader John Boehner have proposed relaxing tariffs on foreign ethanol to help reduce gasoline prices. But it won't be an easy sell to Corn Belt lawmakers. Curt Nickisch reports.

Both houses of Congress are working on bills that will make it harder for the executive branch to approve foreign takeovers of American companies without Congressional approval. John Dimsdale has the story.

A report today suggests GM and Ford are lobbying for rules that would reduce the incentive to buy hybrids. Why? Japanese auto giants Toyota and Honda are miles ahead in the hybrid game. Bob Moon explains.