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.

Heated discussions are commonplace on Capitol Hill, but it’s rare form for a witness and a legislator to have at it.

But it happened on Friday when Alaska Republican Rep. Don Young sparred (intensely) with historian Douglas Brinkley at a hearing of the House Natural Resources Committee.

Brinkley recently authored “The Quiet World: Saving Alaska’s Wilderness Kingdom,” and was offering his opinions on the effects of drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

But Young called the hearing an “an exercise in futility,” and likened the testimony to “garbage.” Then, he called Brinkley “Dr. Rice,” confusing him with the university where he teaches.

And that’s when the fireworks began (note the expression on the face of the aide sitting behind Young).

Washington (CNN) — Flanked by parents whose children were killed in automobile accidents, congressional lawmakers Tuesday again launched a campaign for federal licensing standards for teenage drivers.

Holding a poster-sized photograph of his daughter Michelle — a fatality at the age of 15 — a sobbing Ray Sanderbeck of Medina, Ohio, told a news conference, “Today I hold her in my arms and ask you to support the STANDUP act.”

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Former talk show host Montel Williams has urged state lawmakers to legalize medical marijuana in Maryland, saying it has a role helping those with painful ailments such as his own.

The Baltimore native spoke Monday at a news conference with Maryland lawmakers who support legalized medical marijuana.

Williams, 54, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1990. He said he had been living with pain in his lower extremities, face and side for years and added that marijuana provided the only relief he could find.

Coming up this Sunday, we’ll go one-on-one with the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, as he prepares to host his sixth annual Clinton Global Initiative – a gathering of world leaders to find and implement solutions to the world’s most pressing problems. Plus, an exclusive live interview with Gen. Colin Powell (Ret.). We’ll go in-depth with the man who has served this country under four presidents: as National Security Adviser for Ronald Reagan, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, and Secretary of State for George W. Bush. What does he think about the direction and future of the Republican Party and the role of the Tea Party this election year?

ATLANTA — More than 13 million students and 1 million educators will share $3.4 billion from the second round of the federal “Race to the Top” grant competition, the U.S. Education Department said Tuesday.

The department chose nine states — Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Rhode Island — and the District of Columbia for the grants. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said 25,000 schools will get money to raise student learning and close the achievement gap.

WASHINGTON — Congress is moving rapidly just weeks before the start of the school year to speed billions of dollars in emergency education aid to states in hopes of reversing the layoffs of tens of thousands of teachers.

Some $10 billion in aid to school districts is set to flow after a 61-39 Senate vote Thursday — to be followed quickly by a House vote next week — in hopes that it will come in time for many school districts to reconsider teacher layoffs.

Thursday’s vote was a hard-earned but partial victory for Democrats and President Barack Obama. Advocates said it could save the jobs of up to 300,000 teachers, police and other public workers.

It’s not just the 4th of July holiday that’s raising memories of revolution. The idea of active anti-government resistance, once the province of the fringe or a mere historical parable, is now a common component of the national discourse. If all the voices actively calling for or raising the specter of insurrection since Obama’s election in 2008 were to have their way, there would be a logjam of militias on the White House lawn. Three-cornered hats and muskets would sell out in minutes. They’d have to institute a ticket system. One pitchfork jab per man, woman, or child.

(CNN) — The Obama administration will fight to preserve the law establishing an annual National Day of Prayer, the Justice Department confirmed Thursday.

A federal judge declared the law unconstitutional last week.

The Justice Department’s official filing of a “notice to appeal” Thursday came as no surprise, after White House spokesman Matt Lehrich said following the ruling that President Obama intends to recognize this year’s National Day of Prayer, which is May 6.

NEW YORK – Tea party supporters are wealthier and more well-educated than the general public, tend to be Republican, white, male, and married, and their strong opposition to the Obama administration is more rooted in political ideology than anxiety about their personal economic situation, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll.