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Assesses the damage to relations between the narrow Republican majorities of the U.S. House and Senate due to an agreement between Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) and House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) on the legislative issue of cutting taxes. Accomplishments of Frist in the Senate; Accusation of House Republicans against Frist; Impact of Frists' handling of the issue on domestic plans of Republicans after the Iraq military campaign. INSET: What Led to the GOP Leadership Rift.

Examines the relationship between Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. Congress. Views of U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Me.) on her party's leadership; Need for respect between the parties; Actions that must be taken by Democrats to maintain the pressure on Republicans according to Democratic strategist Peter Fenn.

Reports on the tribute given by the U.S. Congress to former U.S. President Ronald Reagan who died on June 5, 2004. Move of the Congress to postpone all its scheduled activities to give way for the mourning of President Ronald's death; Praises given by Democrats to President Reagan; Details of the funeral service given to President Reagan.

Provides information on corporate tax overhaul bills S 1637 and HR 2896 considered by the U.S. Congress. Dispute among U.S. House lawmakers over the specific approach taken in HR 2896; Effect of an amendment on overtime pay rules sponsored by U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) on S 1637; Overview of other amendments Democrats sought to attach to the bills.

Reports on the decision of the U.S. Congress to approve a legislation which aims to assist the black African Muslims terrorized by government-supported militias in Darfur, Sudan. Funds to be provided for the victims; Percentage of the amount that would be available for humanitarian assistance; Views of U.S. Senator Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.) on the needs of the region.

Discusses the fiscal 2004 spending law of the U.S. Congress for the Capitol Police and the Capitol Visitor Center. Estimated spending for the Capitol Police and the Capitol Visitor Center; Use of the 2004 budget; Budget increases requested by Capitol Police Chief Terrance W. Gainer and Architect of the Capitol Alan M. Hantman.

Reports on the legislative agenda that will be tackled by the U.S. Congress when it returns in January 2004. Prospect that an overhaul of the energy policies will pass the Congress; Length of the summer 2004 recess of the Congress; List of bills on the agenda of the Republican Party.

Questions whether the talkathon staged by U.S. Congressional leaders from November 12 through 14, 2003 qualify as a real filibuster. Definition of filibuster; Concept of cloture; Accounts of similar actions; Success of filibusters.

Reports on the plan of the U.S. Congress to close the House Corrections Calendar Office. Passage of the fiscal 2004 legislative branch appropriations bill in September 2003; Background on the creation of the Corrections Calendar; Reasons for the decision to close the office.

Reports on the vote of the U.S. House to reopen an investigation into the use of slave labor to construct the Capitol when it passed the legislative Branch appropriations bill on July 9, 2003, a review that might lead to demands for reparations or back wages. Details of the investigation; Approval of a resolution by the U.S. Senate in September 2000 that called for the creation of a task force to recommend a method of recognizing the Capitol's slave laborers.