Congress is taking its first look at problems voters had in November, including long lines that left many waiting for hours to cast ballots.

Congress' budget deal provides funding for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq that is larded with pork-barrel projects, a member of the House Appropriations Committee says.

Skeptical lawmakers from both parties cross-examined Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates for hours Thursday in tense House and Senate hearings on U.S. strikes against Libya, which one angry Republican called "an unconstitutional and illegal war."