From the Miami Herald: A church in Miami visited by Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry during his campaign has been cleared of political activity that could have jeopardized its tax-exempt status. According to the lawyer for the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, the Internal Revenue Service will be closing the investigation after finding that the church was not campaigning on behalf of Senator Kerry. The inquiry began after a Washington political watchdog group lodged a complaint against the church, calling the visit a “rally.” Read a Watcher article on the inquiry.

Many people are glued to their sets, watching CNN's coverage of the West Virginia coal mine accident and rescue efforts. At such times, it always makes sense to ask whether the federal government is doing enough to protect workers in this dangerous industry. Find out for yourself, with this compilation of items withdrawn from the Mine Safety and Health Administration's agenda for action.

Yesterday the Senate wrapped up work on the last two appropriations bills, eighty-two days after fiscal year 2006 began (which is the deadline to pass appropriations bills). In their desire to wrap up appropriations work, GOP leaders hammered out a resolution enacted by voice vote, which states that once the House approves a modified version of the FY06 Defense appropriations bill, the Labor/HHS conference report would be deemed passed in the Senate. The bill passed funds FY 2006 health, education and labor programs, as well as defense authorization legislation.

After voting 52-48 on the procedural challenge previously mentioned, the Senate voted 50-50 on the budget cuts bill. The bill they voted on is different from the one which came out of conference in that it does not include some minor language concerning medicaid liabilities and a number of government reports.