With the House out of session this week, there was less news than usual to report from Capitol Hill. The Senate, however, did consider a number of important issues such as stem cell research and funding for federal intelligence agencies. For a thorough analysis of this action, we again turn to Robert McElroy’s TheWeekInCongress [3]. His site is a great resource for citizens wishing to keep track of what their members are up to in Washington, and we urge you to check it out. Follow the headlines below to the Congresspedia [4] articles covering the respective issues, which in turn link to and heavily rely on McElroy's analyses.

• The Senate passed two bills relating to stem cell research. The first, which President Bush opposes and has promised to veto, would ease federal restrictions on embryonic stem cell research [5]. The second promotes funding for research on only "naturally dead" embryos [6], a move supported by Bush but seen by many scientists as less likely to produce cures for deadly diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and diabetes.
• The Senate voted to end debate on the fiscal year (FY) 2007 Intelligence Authorization [7], which funds the federal government’s thirteen intelligence agencies.
• The Senate passed several resolutions requiring testimony and documents [8] from Senate staffers in connection to ongoing legal cases.