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[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/26/reid.sign.hcr.gi.art.jpg caption="Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid autographs a copy of the health care legislation amendments after a news conference on March 25, 2010 in Washington, DC."]
Top stories:
House OKs 'fixes' for health care law
(CNN) - The House of Representatives passed a slightly altered health care "fixes" bill Thursday night, completing legislative action on President Obama's top domestic priority.
The so-called "fixes" bill, approved by a 220-207 vote, now goes to Obama to be signed into law. It makes changes in the broader health care reform measure that Obama enacted Tuesday.
Approval by both the House and Senate on Thursday concluded a tortuous legislative struggle for the health care reform legislation, which received no Republican support in any of the major votes in either chamber dating back to last year. FULL STORY
Gates eases ban on gays in the military
(CNN) - Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced Thursday that the Pentagon will start to ease its enforcement of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy prohibiting homosexuals from serving openly in the military.
Among other things, Gates said the Pentagon is raising the threshold for what constitutes an appropriate level of information necessary to launch a "credible inquiry" into allegations of homosexual behavior.
The change, which will take effect in 30 days and apply to all current cases, is a reflection of "common sense" and "common decency," Gates said. "These changes reflect some of the insights we have gained over 17 years of implementing the current law, including the need for consistency, oversight and clear standards." FULL STORY
Sound off: Join the conversation on today's top stories. What do you think about the health care reform legislation or easing the ban on gays in the military? Add your comments to the LIVE blog below and we'll read some of them on the show.