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In their first major test of governing this year, Republicans stumbled, faltered — and nearly shut down the Department of Homeland Security. And that vote may have been the easy one. In April, physicians who treat Medicare patients face a drastic cut in pay. In May, the Highway Trust Fund runs dry. In June, the charter for the federal Export-Import Bank ceases to exist. Then in October, across-the-board spending cuts return, the government runs out of money — and the Treasury bumps up against its borrowing limit. (Parker, 3/8)

Senate Democrats are introducing a bill that would expand Medicaid coverage to include contraception for lower income women, along with strengthening other reproductive health initiatives. (Flores, 3/6)

Eight months after her failed attempt to override a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on contraceptive coverage, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray on Thursday rolled out her latest proposal to protect women’s access to reproductive-health services. The Washington Democrat’s wide-ranging bill would mandate state Medicaid programs to provide full coverage for all forms of birth control, require hospitals and clinics to provide free emergency contraception to patients who have been sexually assaulted and order a study of how states are enacting laws to restrict access to abortions and other family-planning services. (Song, 3/8)