in washington, sally kidd, wbal tv 11 news. >> as the u.s. supreme court hears arguments on the constitutionality of the president's health-care law, the maryland general assembly is scheduled to vote tonight on a similar measure. it creates a framework to implement the federal law. david collins is calling this an joins us live from annapolis with the latest. >> state house leaders are looking over their shoulders at the supreme court. however, they will push ahead now and make adjustments necessary later. >> constitutional uncertainty hanging over the issue at the u.s. supreme court, but the maryland general assembly is moving forward to create the framework to install the obama health-care plan. >> we would much rather be proactive and determine what is best for maryland under the federal health-care program and to wait for them to tell us. obviously, if the supreme court overthrows some of it or leave that as it is, we will have to make some changes. >> the bill establishes two health-care exchanges, one where individuals can purchase aff

sally kidd is live in washington with a look at this case. sally?decide whether congress exceeded its authority when it passes -- passed the mandate that every american obtain health insurance. >> it's president obama's

. >> .i am sally kidd at the u.s. supreme court. health-care reform, a in tonight's medical alert, company that makes the so-called pink slime is suspending operations at three out of the four plants where the beef filler is made. they made the announcement this afternoon amid public outcry over concerns about the ingredient. the ammonia treated additive has been used for years but was recently targeted by activists who wanted it banned. the u.s. department of agriculture decided to allow school districts to stop using pinks on, and some retail change -- chains have pulled it, as well. and with the americans with high cholesterol, they are at greater risk of heart attack and stroke, but now, new research suggests that high cholesterol may be laid to a new disease, alzheimer's. we have more in tonight's women's doctor. >> this is kitty in earlier years. now, the former teacher is hospitalized for alzheimer's disease, but before she was diagnosed, she was treated for high cholesterol. >> she had been taking medicine for cholesterol fo

live in washington, sally kidd, wbal tv 11 news. >>> there were religious freedom rallies across the country today to protest parts of the health care reform act involving contraception. nadia? >> the general consensus of those who came out to the rally today say tpts an issue of health care, it's an issue of religious freedom. >> freedom! freedom! freedom! freedom! >> concerned maryland residents and area leaders gathered in downtown baltimore to send a stern and vigorous message for the obama administration -- don't take away the country's religious freedom. >> this is not about birth control. it's about telling people of faith that the federal government has a belief and your belief better agree with them no matter what your religion dictates. >> even in the face of abusive government power, we must stand to bear witness to the truth no matter what. >> the rally, stand up for religious freedom, which took place outside the federal building, was one of 140 ral -- rallies going on simultaneously in stays cross america friday. the health care mandate provides employers to provide fre

sally kidd hazlet -- the latest. >> tempers flared on the house floor as republicans and democrats clashed over highway spending. >> you should stop it. you should stop it. >> this is a critical issue. for their families, for their livelihood. >> house democrats lashed out at the move for a 90-day extension. >> this is an embarrassment. >> democrats pushed for a vote that would extend transportation funding for two years. house republicans say they want more time to work on a five-year measure. >> they got a bunch of bozos in their caucus who do not believe we should have a national transportation system. they are fighting among themselves. >> i am not sure what they're talking about. pass the extension. >> at stake are 130,000 a highway projects and thousands of jobs. without the extension. >> all projects stop as we know it. >> leaders declined to take up the senate bill. >> we see some gimmicks in terms of how it is paid for. >> this will be some kind of agreement. this -- there may not be much of an appetite. >> this is one of those bills that affects main street. it fills in the pot h

sally kidd joins us live with the details on that. >> the president talked about housing, and gas pricesbut most of the focus was on foreign-policy and his critics on the campaign trail. >> i am understand there are some political contests going on tonight. >> president obama holding a major news conference on super tuesday took aim at republican presidential candidates. >> those folks do not have a lot of responsibilities. >> he address criticism regarding his policy on iran and the threat to israel. >> when i see some of these folks who have a lot of bluster and big tall, but when you ask them specifically what they would do, it turns out they repeat the things we have been doing over the last three years. >> asked what he would say about mitt romney about his criticism of the president -- >> good luck tonight. >> on syria and calls for military action -- >> there is no doubt that those who are suggesting are proposing or beating the drums of war should explain clearly to the american people what they think the cost and benefits would be. >> he also addressed republican critics in cong