Government & Politics

The top U.S. general in Iraq says the Iraqi military performed superbly on Sunday's mostly peaceful election day and that President Barack Obama's plan to remove American combat troops from that country by Sept. 1 is proceeding on schedule.

Gen. Ray Odierno says commanders will constantly reassess the situation. But he says that as of now, every sign points to Iraqis being able to peacefully form a new government in coming months.

Embattled Rep. Charles Rangel, facing an investigation by the House ethics committee, says he has decided to temporarily step down from his post as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.

Rangel made the announcement to reporters on Capitol Hill Wednesday, saying he would not answer any questions. He said, "I
hope you don't mind. I don't take questions."

He said that "from the very, very beginning, I had offered" to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to step down from the post.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer says members of Congress voting for legislation overhauling the health care system will be more than willing to defend it to voters in the fall elections.

Hoyer said Tuesday that he feels the public supports many key elements of a new medical care system, including "affordable health insurance for all Americans and families."

President Obama is taking aim at the nation's school dropout epidemic.

He's proposing $900 million to states and education districts that agree to drastically change their worst performing schools.

The move comes as many schools struggle, with only 70% of entering high school freshmen going on to graduate.

Obama's plan seeks to help 5,000 of the nation's lowest-performing schools over the next five years.

"If a school continues to fail its students year after year, it doesn't show any sign of improving, then there's got to be a sense of accountability," says

It's President Obama's daring bet on health care reform.

Six hours of bipartisan debate at Blair House, across from the White House carried live on cable.

The President thinks the coverage will favor his broad approach.

"I hope everyone comes with a shared desire to solve this challenge, not just score political points," said Obama.

The President will open the talks and moderate debate tightly structured around four themes: controlling costs, insurance reforms, deficit reduction and expanding coverage.