newshour congressional correspondent kwame holman walks us through a procedure called reconciliation. >> holman: yesterday's health care summit featured disagreements over policy ideas, governing philosophy, and the senate procedure known as budget reconciliation. it's a provision that was designed to keep spending and taxes within the parameters of the budget, a task made easier by an expedited process that prohibits filibusters and limits debate to 20 hours. >> "reconciliation" brings to mind harmony, but in fact, it's to wage war. >> holman: congressional scholar thomas mann of the brookings institution says that in the 36 years since it was adopted, lawmakers have expanded the use of reconciliation. >> as time went on, members of congress saw, hey, this is an opportunity to write some changes into law, or new law. "this train is leaving the station, it might be the only one that is." so over time, you began to see these reconciliation bills do more and more things, including passing major programs. >> holman: those major programs include substantial changes to health care laws. am

"newshour" correspondent kwame holman begins with some background. >> reporter: it was a washington moment fraught with symbolism thousands of miles away in japan. the head of toyota grew emotional before his american dealers last night, after a long day of criticism from a u.s. house committee. >> at the hearing, i was not alone. you and your colleagues across america, around the world, were there with me. >> reporter: for the 53-year-old akio toyoda, grandfather of the founder and scion of the automaking dynasty, it was a rare public moment. in fact, the media-shy president originally had planned to send another representative from the company. but in the end, toyoda himself journeyed to washington, and apologized for his company's safety lapses speaking through a translator. >> ( translated ): i feel deeply sorry for those people who lost their lives or who were injured by traffic accidents, especially those in our own cars. i extend my sincerest condolences to them, from the bottom of my heart. >> reporter: public apologies from corporate figures are common in japan and u.s. audiences

"newshour" correspondent kwame holman begins our coverage. >> reporter: it's not clear exactly what he's saying, but by all accounts, umar farouk abdulmutallab began cooperating with the f.b.i. last week. he allegedly tried to blow up an incoming transatlantic flight over detroit on christmas day. after the plane landed, he spoke briefly to investigators, then was read his rights, asked for his lawyer and stopped talking, until recently. at a late night briefing at the white house, administration officials said abdulmutallab's family members were flown from nigeria to the u.s. to help persuade him to answer questions. they said he supplied information about his contacts in yemen, where allegedly he was trained by alqaeda and talked about intelligence related to multiple terror threats. top intelligence officials have said they were not immediately consulted about how to handle abdulmutallab. but today, attorney general eric holder took responsibility. he said suspects captured inside the u.s. always have been placed in the federal courts. he wrote to senate republican leader mitch mcconn

"newshour" correspondent kwame holman begins our coverage. >> reporter: amid a crush of cameras, the grandson of toyota's founder made his way to the witness table before the house oversight and government reform committee. he said he takes "full responsibility" for all that has happened. >> ( translated ): i am the grandson of the founder, and all the toyota vehicles bear my name. for me, when the cars are damaged, it is as though i am as well. i, more than anyone, wish for toyota's cars to be safe, and for our customers to feel safe when they use our vehicles. >> reporter: toyota has recalled eight million vehicles worldwide for uncontrolled acceleration and another 400,000-plus for brake issues. >> we pursued growth over the speed at which we were able to develop our people and our organization, and we should sincerely be mindful of that. i regret that this has resulted and i am deeply sorry for any accidents that toyota drivers have experienced. >> reporter: toyoda was initially reluctant to come to washington, but last week he acceded to pressure to appear. and he made this prom