Republicans in Congress approved a sweeping and controversial $1.5 trillion tax overhaul, with the Senate voting early Wednesday along straight party lines to move the measure forward.

The Senate narrowly approved a $1.4 trillion tax overhaul early Saturday morning following a day of procedural delays and frustration.

Thousands of former coal workers and dependents who worked for now-bankrupt coal companies could lose their health insurance at the end of the year if Congress does not pass legislation to fund it. Retirees in southern Illinois say losing their health insurance would amount to a broken promise from the coal companies that would have devastating effects to their well-being.

Democratic Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and 17th District Congressional Democrat Cheri Bustos were among those who traveled to Cuba with President Obama this week.  Durbin says he witnessed a 'spirit of cooperation' that he hadn't seen before in the island countrry. The two are pushing for the end to the U.S. trade embargo with Cuba.

The Republican told WLS Radio in Chicago Friday that the Senate should he Senate should "man up and cast a vote.''  President Obama nominated U.S. appeals court Judge Merrick Garland on Wednesday.  Kirk is the first GOP Senator to break with party leaders, who say there won't be a hearing for him.