in the bag

Congress jump-started the year with a hefty stimulus bill to pump cash into the economy. Still jittery about the financial markets, lawmakers also voted to let the president keep using the "TARP" bailout funds approved in 2008.

down the pike

One of the biggest battles looming in Congress this year is how the federal government should go about regulating financial markets from here on out. After global warming and health care bills are dealt with, look out for the great regulation debate.