The Senate will vote today on the DISCLOSE Act, a bill already approved by the House, that would require corporations to disclose their spending on federal political campaigns and to reveal their identities in any political ads they fund. The bill is being seen as the Democrats' answer to the Supreme Courts's ruling on the Citizens United case, which allowed big corporations, domestic and foreign, to spend unlimited amounts of money on American elections.

With tar balls still fouling Gulf Coastlines, and vitriol aimed at BP Executive Tony Hayward, the oil industry doesn't have many friends in Washington. But while members of Congress may not be taking photos with oil execs, they are taking their money. This election cycle is on track to set a record for contributions from the oil and gas industry. With big energy issues on the docket and the oil industry's image taking a serious hit from the Gulf, the oil industry is eager to change minds and exert influence. That means spending big money. $14 million has been contributed to campaigns so far, and the number is expected to rise to almost $20 million by November. That's according to the sleuths and number crunchers at The Center for Responsive Politics, a group that analyzes campaign contributions for signs of influence.  

• CONGRESS TAKEOUT:   Some lawmakers may be facing a conflict of interest as they go toe to toe with Toyota executives.  Communications director for the Center for Responsive Politics, Dave Levinthal, says many of these lawmakers are stockholders in Toyota.
• OLYMPICS PREVIEW: Jason Stallman, reporting on the Winter Olympics for The New York Times, has the latest from Vancouver and looks ahead to Lindsey Vonn's upcoming race.
• SUPREME COURT: Supreme Court correspondent for The New York Times, Adam Liptak, explains the Court's latest decision that police may now ad lib the Miranda Rights.

The full Senate is scheduled to take up Sen. Max Baucus' (D-Mont.) health care bill later this week, but the bill's language has been thoroughly chewed over already. The influence of lobbyists and special interests has removed and reshaped many provisions once thought central to reform. We talk to New York Times Washington correspondent David Kirkpatrick; and Dave Levinthal, spokesperson for the Center for Responsive Politics, about how a bill really becomes a law. (Watch a refresher on the subject from "Schoolhouse Rock" below.)