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As Democrats prepare to take the reins of Congress, changes in legislative initiatives can be expected across a broad spectrum of issues -- from U.S. policy in Iraq to health care and the environment. NPR reporters weigh in on what to expect from the new Democratic majority.

Rep. George Miller (D-CA), tapped by Nancy Pelosi to head up some of the Democractic Party's most important policy initiatives, looks ahead to what Democrats will try to accomplish now that they have control of Congress.

Fed Chairman Benjamin Bernanke calls for China to reduce its massive trade surplus. Among his suggestions: enact policies to increase China's consumer spending; embrace more flexibility in the exchange rate; and develop more of a 'social safety net', so that households will be less preoccupied with saving and more willing to invest.

This morning, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies said the FDA and NOAA are confusing consumers about the pros and cons of eating seafood. Later today, the Journal of the American Medical Association will publish an analysis of the science on fish benefits and risks.

Among the eight fired U.S. attorneys is Carol Lam of San Diego. Her office brought the corruption case that sent Rep. Duke Cunningham, a California Republican, to prison. Related documents shed light on how the Justice Department handled its "problems" with Lam.

The former chief of staff to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales will testify Thursday before a Senate panel investigating the firings of eight federal prosecutors. Kyle Sampson will likely be asked if the dismissals were politically motivated.

At a White House news conference, President Bush covers a variety of subjects. He says Democrats who have declined to pass a war-spending bill satisfactory to the administration are wasting their time.

In a visit to Capitol Hill, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke tells lawmakers he does not believe that continued weakness in the housing sector will push the economy into a recession.

Kyle Sampson — former chief of staff to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales — testifies before a Senate panel. He says his boss was far more involved in the plan to fire eight federal prosecutors than Gonzales has previously acknowledged.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates and the Pentagon are seeking another $190 billion from Congress to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The figure is about $50 billion higher than earlier estimates. Much of the extra money will be used for new more heavily armored military vehicles.