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The U.S. administration in Iraq is coming under mounting criticism for the slow pace of its efforts to hand over authority to Iraqis. While U.S. officials focus on plans to establish a grass roots political process in Iraq, many Iraqis demand a greater role in governing the country. NPR's Kate Seelye reports.

In a series of closed hearings, House and Senate committees examine whether U.S. intelligence about possible illegal weapons in Iraq were exaggerated to justify war. Meanwhile, U.S. officials say they expect 20,000 to 30,000 troops from other countries, including the Netherlands, Slovakia, Denmark and the Ukraine, will be in Iraq by August. Hear Dana Priest of The Washington Post and NPR's Michele Kelemen.

Senate lawmakers begin discussions on a bill to add a prescription drug benefit to the Medicare program. The plan would pay about a third of the $3,000 a year that the average senior spends on prescription drugs. NPR's Julie Rovner reports.

The U.S. military in Iraq launches Operation Desert Scorpion, conducting house-to-house searches and detaining dozens of Iraqis believed to be Baath Party loyalists or members of terrorist organizations. The largest raids occur in Fallujah, where coordinated attacks on American troops have increased in recent weeks. Hear NPR's Nick Spicer.

The House and Senate intelligence committees launched hearings this week on the Bush administration's handling of pre-war intelligence on Iraq. But while Democrats call for a probe of whether the White House mishandled intelligence reports, Republicans insist the hearings do not amount to an investigation of wrongdoing. NPR's David Welna reports.

The Department of Homeland Security will award aerospace giant Boeing a contract to provide high-tech methods to catch illegal immigrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. Boeing's "virtual fence" concept includes an estimated 1,800 towers along the border equipped with cameras and motion sensors.

The Israeli Cabinet voted overnight to expand ground operations in southern Lebanon. Israel Radio reported that the number of ground troops in Lebanon will more than double. Despite growing international calls for a cease-fire, Israeli officials say the offensive against Hezbollah could last for weeks.

Ohio Republican Bob Ney's name has been repeatedly mentioned in connection with the corruption scandal centering on former lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Ney has yet to be charged in connection with the case. But on Tuesday, the Justice Department put former Ney Chief of Staff Neil Volz on the stand in the trial of former Bush administration official David Safavian.

Starting July 1, states are supposed to require all Medicaid recipients to prove citizenship in order to receive or keep their benefits. The provision is intended to purge Medicaid of illegal immigrants. But advocates for the poor have filed a lawsuit on behalf of citizens who simply lack the needed documents.

With New Jersey's legislature and governor failing to agree on a budget, the state has shut down most of its services. Included in the shutdown are state parks and Atlantic City's casinos, which must have government monitors on site to operate. Steve Inskeep speaks with Brad Linder of member station WHYY.