Confirmation hearings begin this week in the U.S. Senate for Defense Secretary-designate Chuck Hagel.

FORBES: Obama Wields Hagel Cudgel on Two Fronts

Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton pledged in her Senate confirmation hearings that the new administration will immediately seek to engage Iran diplomatically.

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U.S. Treasury Secretary-designate Timothy Geithner faced tough questions Wednesday in his confirmation hearings before the Senate Finance Committee.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Republicans are asking the same questions of transportation secretary-designate Rodney Slater, but the panel that must confirm him, the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, is giving him a much easier time.

CNN: Storm Brewing Over Herman's Campaign Work

House lawmakers this week plan to introduce legislation that would designate fewer loans as high-cost, and a key Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, Sen.

WSJ: Prebuilt Loan Predicament