Gridlock News

By Ann Scott Tyson Washington Post Staff Writer Thursday, February 26, 2009; 2:12 PM Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced today that he is lifting a 1991 ban on news coverage of the return of the remains of fallen service members to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, although he will leave the decision about press coverage up to the family of the dead. The controversial ban on photography and other media coverage of the solemn return of flag-draped coffins -- upheld by both Republican and Democratic administrations -- has generated lawsuits as well as conflicting emotions on the part of military familiies. Gates said he is asking a group of advisers to come up with a plan on how to implement the new policy.

U.S. to End Ban on Media Coverage of Returning Military Coffins - washingtonpost.com

By Anne E. Kornblut and Paul Kane Washington Post Staff Writers Friday, February 27, 2009; Page A03 President Obama sought yesterday to quell growing complaints from members of Congress about his plans for drawing down troops in Iraq, inviting lawmakers to a White House meeting on the eve of a North Carolina speech in which he is expected to announce that he will pull out many combat troops by August of 2010. After House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) complained that the level of troops -- 50,000 -- who would remain in Iraq is too high, other senior Democrats voiced similar concerns. Not one member of the Democratic leadership, except for Sen. Richard Durbin (Ill.), defended the new Obama plan, which will take three months longer than he promised and still leave a significant force structure on the ground.

Democrats Assail Withdrawal Plan - washingtonpost.com