In an effort to meet recruiting goals, the Army has raised its maximum enlistment age to 42. The move “marked the second time this year the Army has boosted the maximum age for new volunteers.”

The House delayed a vote on extending the landmark Voting Rights Act. Texas lawmakers objected to the bill, which enjoys broad bipartisan support, because of its federal oversight and multilingual voting requirements. “I don’t think we have racial bias in Texas anymore,” explained Rep. John Carter (R-TX).

41.2 million: The number of Americans who lacked health insurance last year, 14.2 percent of the population. 8.9 percent of American children did not have coverage.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai urged the international community to reassess its approach to the war on terror, claiming that there has not been enough focus on the roots of terrorism itself. “I strongly believe … that we must engage strategically in disarming terrorism by stopping their sources of supply of money, training, equipment and motivation,” he said.

Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-WV) “helped funnel at least $179 million in U.S. government contracts over the last six years to companies that gave to” his family-run charity, tax records and other documents show. Read more