Washington (CNN) — The last American veteran of World War I to die should lie in honor in the U.S. Capitol, his daughter said after lawmakers appeared to block the suggestion.

“While Papa was still living, it was suggested that he lie in honor in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol as a final, formal tribute to all the veterans of World War I. Papa consented to this because he understood that, as the last living World War I veteran, he was expected to represent all of the World War I veterans,” Frank Buckles’ daughter Susannah Buckles Flanagan said in a statement.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — The U.S. Treasury is giving up $14 billion in tax revenue because of a sweetheart deal it’s giving General Motors.

The automaker is expected to post its first profitable year since 2004 when it reports fourth-quarter results on Thursday. But GM (GM) won’t have to worry about being hit with a big tax bill because billions in previous losses will provide shelter for years to come.

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama and the top three House GOP leaders met Wednesday for the first time since Republicans assumed control of the House, agreeing to work together on issues ranging from trade to spending cuts, both sides said.

House Speaker John Boehner, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor and House GOP Whip Kevin McCarthy struck an upbeat, cooperative tone on their way out of the White House lunch, even though fierce battles are brewing over the GOP’s plans to cut spending on areas like education and high-speed rail that the president wants to boost.

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama stepped up efforts to woo the U.S. business community Monday, seeking its help to tackle “burdensome” corporate taxes in a speech to a business group that has long been a fierce critic.

Obama, on a drive to win over business and independent voters before the 2012 presidential election, also repeated a promise to advance trade deals with Panama and Colombia that would help U.S. companies, but he did not lay out a timetable for getting the pacts passed.

In an agreement reached between Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, the world’s most deliberative body will not change its rules on the filibuster after all.

A group of mostly freshmen senators were denied an opportunity to make changes with only a simple majority. They argue that the Senate rules allow that on the first day of a new session, the body may amend its rules with only 51 ‘yeas’ instead of the 67 normally required. Democrats refer to this as “the constitutional option.”

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.

Honolulu, Hawaii (CNN) — Taking time out from his Hawaiian vacation to assert some executive authority, President Barack Obama on Wednesday used a series of recess appointments to override Republican objections to several nominees.

Obama used his constitutional power to appoint six people who have had their nominations pending for an average of 147 days, according to White House officials.

White House officials said privately that Obama acted because of Republican obstruction of the nominations, which include the posts of deputy attorney general and ambassadors to Turkey, the Czech Republic and Syria.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives on Friday passed legislation that authorizes the Defense Department to spend nearly $160 billion on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan this budget year without major restrictions on the conduct of operations.

The 341-48 vote on the defense authorization bill came after House and Senate Democrats agreed to strip several provisions, including one that would have allowed gays to serve openly in the military and another that would have authorized abortions at overseas military facilities.

The provision that would have overturned the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy was approved as a standalone bill in the House earlier this week and awaits a vote in the Senate.

WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is pushing behind the scenes for lame-duck legislation that would allow poker games over the Internet but restrict initial licenses to casinos and racetrack operators that have been in businesses at least five years.

Some of the biggest casino operators in Reid’s home state of Nevada are eager to get a piece of the online gambling industry, which generates an estimated $5 billion a year for offshore operators.

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has again slapped down speculation that she harbors ambitions for another presidential run.

In New Zealand on Friday, Clinton told a pair of television interviewers that she won’t run for president even in the aftermath of this week’s congressional midterms that saw Republicans take control of the House and make big gains in the Senate. Some have suggested that Clinton should take advantage of President Barack Obama’s unpopularity to make a new bid.