WASHINGTON — Scientists say NASA is about to propose major cuts in its exploration of other planets, especially Mars. But even before the cuts are unveiled, lawmakers are vowing to fight “tooth and nail” to preserve missions to the Red Planet.

With limited money for science and an over-budget new space telescope, the space agency essentially had to make a choice in where it wanted to explore: the neighboring planet or the far-off cosmos.

Based on the advance word about NASA’s budget for the coming year, Mars lost out.

Washington (CNN) — Congressional Democrats and Republicans escalated their rhetorical war Thursday over a pending federal rule requiring religiously affiliated employers to provide full contraception coverage to women — one day after hints emerged of a possible compromise between the White House and conservative religious critics.

Numerous rank-and-file Democrats urged the White House not to back away from its support for the rule, while Republicans demanded a full retreat.

“It is time for the extreme right wing to stop playing football with women’s health,” said Rep. Nita Lowey, D-New York. “My colleagues and I stand in solidarity with American women who have waited decades for equity in contraceptive coverage. We have fought for too long.”

WASHINGTON (CNN) — The Democratic-controlled U.S. Senate on Thursday rejected a measure that would have prevented a $1.2 trillion increase in the debt ceiling, putting an end to legislative debate on the politically contentious issue until after the November presidential election.

A procedural motion to move forward with the bill was rejected in a largely party-line 44-52 vote. The measure, approved by the GOP-controlled House of Representatives last week, had little chance of either passing Congress or surviving a certain presidential veto. It was considered a largely symbolic gesture on the part of Republicans.

(CNN) — President Barack Obama on Wednesday launched a three-day visit to five battleground states in the November election by pressing State of the Union themes of core American values and having the wealthy pay more taxes.

At an Iowa manufacturing plant that he said represented the kind of job creation needed for the economy, Obama repeatedly drew applause for the apparent central message of his re-election bid — that the country needs to keep alive equal opportunity for all.

Americans aren’t looking for a handout, the president said, but want the security of knowing they can provide for their families, send their kids to college and save for retirement.

Washington (CNN) — House Republican leaders put off until Tuesday a vote on a Senate plan to extend the payroll tax cut and said they were willing to work until the end of the year to negotiate a compromise with Senate Democrats.

The vote had been expected Monday night, but after a long meeting of the House Republican conference, GOP leaders said they would wait until Tuesday.

Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, R-California, told reporters that it was better to hold the vote “not in the dark of night but in the light of day.”

The delayed vote followed a day of escalating brinksmanship as legislators stepped up their game of chicken over the expiring payroll tax cut.

Jon Corzine’s testimony before the House agriculture committee may mark the definitive end to the Democratic party’s love affair with Wall Street.

Once upon a time, Wall Street bankers were Republicans. Not terribly ideological, they preferred whenever possible a minimum of taxation, regulation, and government in general, but they didn’t make a fetish of it. As the GOP moved right starting in the mid-1960s the east coast Republican establishment began to crumble, and by the late 1980s it was mostly gone. These silk stocking conservatives had been driven out of the Republican party by a social agenda that frightened them, a budget deficit that threatened their livelihoods, and a base that increasingly viewed moderates as RINOs (“Republicans In Name Only”).

By the early 1990s Wall Street was ready to go Democratic. In his new book, Back To Work, former President Bill Clinton writes,

The Senate blocked confirmation on Thursday of Richard Cordray, the former Ohio attorney general picked by President Obama to lead the new Consumer Financial Protection Agency.

Democrats fell short of the 60 votes they needed in a procedural vote to move forward with the nomination of Cordray. Senate Republicans had spoken against the nomination, reflecting their concerns about the creation of the bureau, which was established in last year’s Wall Street reform bill.

Fifty-three senators voted for Cordray, while 45 — all Republicans — voted against ending debate on his nomination. Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown (R) voted for Cordray, and Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe (R) voted present.

Washington (CNN) — Democrats on Monday will propose a compromise plan to extend the payroll tax cut that includes a “serious” way to pay the more than $200 billion price tag, the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee says.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, will introduce the compromise proposal Monday after the chamber last week voted down competing Democratic and Republican plans, Sen. Kent Conrad told “Fox News Sunday.”

The North Dakota Democrat refused to divulge details, saying it was up to Reid to do so, but added it would be “paid for in a way that’s credible and serious.”

WASHINGTON (CNNMoney) — There’s one thing that turns some Tea Party Republicans into government-job lovers like their Democratic rivals: Their neighborhood post office.

In fact, the U.S. Postal Service’s reach into every state and congressional district is a big reason why Americans shouldn’t expect Congress to make the drastic changes that the postmaster general says are needed for the service to survive — especially before the 2012 election.

Bills to save the debt-ridden postal service are making their way through both chambers. Postmaster Patrick Donahoe said last week that both bills delay tough decisions.

Washington (CNN) — Senate Democrats proposed Friday tax incentives for businesses hiring veterans as well as job training for all service members leaving the military.

The measure was unveiled as the next piece in President Obama’s jobs bill and as a remedy to unemployment among veterans.

“It would basically make sure that our veterans are not standing at the back of any unemployment line,” Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan) told reporters. “It’s important that we support our troops not just by lip-service but by action, and we intend to act next week.”