Discussions over the defense spending bill, which the White House wants to have resolved quickly as the anti-terror war continues apace, are likely to tie into completion of the Senate's stalled economic stimulus package.

CNN: Senate gets to slow start on contentious defense bill

The White House has been closed to public tours since the September 11 terror attacks -- except for school, youth, military and veterans group tours arranged by a member of Congress.

CNN: Bush friends, donors enjoy good night's sleep

Joe Lieberman, an independent who has sometimes frustrated the White House, brushed off the notion that the president has gone soft on terror.

CNN: The return of terror politics

Though Obama didn't mention "terror, " federal investigators and a White House official later classified the bombings as such.

CNN: Obama has learned tough lessons on using the word 'terror'