Meanwhile, the full Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee met Thursday to consider bills related to Minerals Management Service reform and to offshore drilling.

CNN: Feds, locals have their own battles with oil spill

Credit counseling or a debt management service may be the right option if your bills are out of control or you have trouble making a budget.

FORBES: How To Avoid Medical Debt

The government has promised to help with a special issuance of Treasury bills which, through the machinations of reserve management, will result in a larger Fed balance sheet but no impact on interest rates.

ECONOMIST: Saving Wall Street

The survey, which CEA conducted in April with more than 1, 000 respondents, also suggested that people participating in energy-management programs sponosored by electric utilities are saving negligible amounts of money on their monthly bills compared to non-participating consumers.

FORBES: Consumers Still Clueless About Energy Efficiency