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Senate Democrats speak out against the White House's renomination of a federal judge candidate whose stance on civil rights has disturbed many critics. Democrats rejected Charles Pickering's nomination last year. NPR's David Welna reports.

The 108th Congress convenes with a new Senate majority leader, Sen. Bill Frist (R-TN). Frist, who replaces Trent Lott of Mississippi, is considered a White House favorite, but others criticize his voting record and views. NPR's Andrea Seabrook reports.

The top two Democrats in Congress, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, unveil what they called a "pre-buttal" in advance of President Bush's State of the Union address, which will be given Wednesday evening.

President Bush says he will continue to press for changes to Social Security, despite signs that many Americans are opposed to it. At a White House news conference, Bush says he is committed to private accounts but admits they will not fix the financial problems that loom ahead for Social Security.

The House is expected to vote Thursday on a bill that would make it tougher for illegal immigrants to obtain driver's licenses. Advocates view it as a necessary way to protect the nation from terrorism. Some Democrats see it as a backdoor attempt to overhaul immigration laws in what Republicans call a national security bill.

House Majority Leader Tom DeLay faces increasing questions about fund-raising practices, potential ethics violations and ties to lobbyists. Most recently, DeLay is being questioned over trips to Korea and Britain that were funded by foreign organizations and lobbyists.

Some of the drug industry's most influential congressional allies are turning against it. A leading Republican in the House says prescription drug prices are too high, while another says it might be time to reconsider laws allowing drugs to be re-imported from Canada.

Accepting the Democratic nomination, John Kerry vows to "restore trust and credibility" to the White House, promising to never mislead America into war. Kerry pledges to work for prosperity and security, saying "America can do better."

Writer Calvin Trillin is crafting small poems about the proceedings of the Democratic National Convention each day this week. Today, he takes stock of Teresa Heinz Kerry, John Kerry's wife. Trillin's latest book is Obliviously On He Sails: The Bush Administration in Rhyme, published by Random House.

The 10-year ban on assault weapons expires, despite public opinion polls indicating strong support. President Bush had said he'd sign an extension, but the House's Republican leadership failed to act on renewal, which was strongly opposed by the NRA. NPR's Peter Overby reports.