(NECN: Washington, D.C.) - As member of the House debated the health care reform bill on Saturday, one Congressman used an unique approach in opposition of the bill's passage.

Holding a baby, Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz.) spoke for her, saying that she does not want government-run health care.

"This is Maddie. Maddie likes America because we have freedom here and Maddie believes in patient choice health care. She has come here to say she doesn't want government to take over health care. She wants to keep her plan," Rep. Shadegg said.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) - The Patrick administration plans to use $9 million in stimulus funds for a Foxborough footbridge connecting two parking lots that belong to New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.

The footbridge would cross Route 1 near Gillette Stadium and Kraft's Patriot Place retail development.

Kraft is tied for number 468 on Forbes Magazine's list of the world's billionaires. The Boston Globe reports that state officials bypassed various projects - including roadwork in Canton, Danvers, Braintree and Bellingham - in favor of the footbridge.

(NECN) - On Saturday, President Barack Obama visited Capital Hill to help show his support for Democrats.

His visit comes as the House was debating a bill on health care legislation.

After the meeting he spoke at the White House about how "now's the time to finish the job on health care overhaul."

He stated that "This is our moment to deliver on health care overhaul" and urged the House to `answer the call of history and pass health care bill.

If the Democrats are successful in passing the bill, it would give President Obama his biggest victory since last year's election.

(NECN) - The idea of health care reform has long been sought after, but never reached a vote on Capitol Hill, until Saturday.

President Barack Obama was on Capital Hill Saturday morning in a rare visit to show his support.

The President made the trip to inspire the party to pass health care legislation.

Not a single republican will vote for the sprawling trillion dollar bill, so the Democrats need 218 votes.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said after the meeting that she couldn't help think of the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., who died of brain cancer last summer.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama is traveling to Capitol Hill on Saturday to try to close the sale on his signature health care overhaul, facing a make-or-break vote in the House certain to be seen as a test of his presidency.

Obama scheduled a late-morning visit with House Democrats convening a rare Saturday session on legislation to remake the U.S. health care system, extending coverage to tens of millions now uninsured and banning insurance company practices such as denial of coverage based on pre-existing medical problems.

(NECN: Alison King) - Now that Alan Khazei has released his first TV ad, all four Democratic Massachusetts U.S. Senate candidates are officially on the air.

For Khazei -- trailing in the polls - it is an essential step in raising his name recognition and letting voters know what he stands for.

Earlier in the week, the frontrunner, Attorney General Martha Coakley, debuted her first ad -- a testimonial featuring middle aged women who were denied health care.

(NECN: RD Sahl) - The health care debate was boiling on Capitol Hill today. A dozen anti-abortion protesters were arrested outside Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office.

House Republicans and a crowd of several thousand rallied at the Capitol against the Democrats' 1.2 trillion dollar bill.

Republicans say the Democrats' plan will increase premiums, hurt seniors, and lead to a government take over of health care. The House Speaker scoffs.

(NECN: Jim Braude) - Everyone thought it was a good idea when Gov. Deval Patrick asked David D'Alessandro, a very credible businessman, to take a fresh look at the MBTA system: a mismanaged patchwork of aging cars, obsolete track, frustrated passengers, and did I mention it's under a mountain of debt, borrowing money just to meet payrolls???

So D'Alessandro delivers his MBTA report -- on time, I should point out, which the T never is -- and he gets right to the point:

(NECN: Joe Bergantino, Boston, Mass.) - New information has been discovered in an ongoing investigation by NECN and the New England Center for Investigative Reporting at Boston University regarding the Massachusetts Division of Administrative Law Appeals (DALA).

We have learned that the head of the DALA, who resigned in the wake of our investigation in August, is continuing to work for the agency as a consultant.

View our original report on DALA.

(NECN) - Steven Pagliuca is a businessman who became co-owner of the Boston Celtics, and is now making his foray into politics. He is aiming to fill the Senate seat left vacant by the death of Ted Kennedy.

Pagliuca joins Jim Braude on Broadside to discuss his position on the important issues facing the country and Massachusetts.

He says his lack of experience in politics won't prevent him from being a good Senator. "If you're in business and building businesses, you have to understand legislation," says Pagliuca.