MPs will be asked to approve an order under the Scotland Act, to allow the Scottish Parliament to hold a referendum on independence.

BBC: Week ahead

Final consideration in the Senate had to wait until an even later mini-session in December, which was required in order to approve an intelligence reform bill.

MSN: Private-spaceflight bill signed into law

Meanwhile, credit unions continue to push for Congress to approve an increase of their caps on commercial loan portfolios in order to offer more loans to local businesses.

FORBES: Will banks' shifting portfolio mixes mean easier borrowing for businesses?