In the Nation

WASHINGTON - The House intelligence committee said yesterday that it would investigate whether the CIA broke the law by not informing Congress promptly about a secret program to deploy teams of killers to target al-Qaeda leaders.

Committee Chairman Silvestre Reyes (D., Texas) said the program, which was never carried out, was among several intelligence operations that would be investigated as part of a broad inquiry into the CIA's handling of disclosures to Congress about its secret activities.

Reyes said his investigation would be "fair and thorough" and said it was his goal for the probe not to become a distraction to CIA employees. CIA spokesman Paul Gimigliano said the agency shared that goal and would work closely with the committee on its review. Separately, Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D., Ill.) said she would head a probe into the details of the CIA plan to send out teams of killers. - AP

WASHINGTON - The Senate agreed to expand the reach of federal hate-crime protections, attaching the measure to a defense-policy bill that President Obama has threatened to veto over a dispute on buying military jets.

The chamber approved on a voice vote Thursday night the expansion of protections to people attacked because of their sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability. The provision also gives the Justice Department additional authority to prosecute hate crimes when local authorities do not act.

The vote raises the stakes with the administration in a dispute on the overall bill, which Obama has threatened to veto because it would authorize spending $1.75 billion to buy seven F-22 jets the Pentagon does not want. - Bloomberg News

WASHINGTON - President Obama's high-speed rail initiative would get an enormous boost under a spending bill approved yesterday by the House Appropriations Committee.

Obama sought $1 billion for construction of a high-speed system and other intercity rail lines, which would come atop $8 billion provided in the stimulus bill in February.

The Appropriations Committee decided to provide $4 billion, part of a $123 billion measure covering transportation and housing programs.

Democrats turned back a GOP effort to take $3 billion of the rail money and deposit it in the Highway Trust Fund, which is expected to go broke next month. The measure also gives Amtrak a $1.5 billion subsidy. - AP

A safe taken from the home of a slain Florida couple, Byrd and Melanie Billings, held only adoption papers and other documents, heirloom jewelry, and some of the family's prescription medication, a sheriff confirmed. The couple were known for adopting 13 special-needs children.

Negotiations over closing California's $26.3 billion deficit appeared stuck yesterday, as government offices closed for the second time this month and a health program for low-income children stopped accepting new applicants.