TheWeekInCongress (March 19-23, 2007)

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Capitol Hill was on center stage this past week, as Congress took on a number of high-profile issues. This week, as usual, we turn to Robert McElroy's TheWeekInCongress for a thorough look at the bills debated and passed since Monday. Follow the headlines below to the Congresspedia articles covering the respective issues, which in turn link to and heavily rely on McElroy's analyses.

• The House narrowly passed a $124 billion supplemental appropriations bill which would require President Bush to remove U.S. combat troops from Iraq by September 1, 2008.
• The Senate approved a measure stripping the executive branch of its authority to appoint U.S. attorneys without the need for Senate confirmation. The right to do so had been granted through a provision in last year's reauthorization of the USA Patriot Act.
• The House debated a bill to provide the District of Columbia with a voting member in the House, though it was stalled after Republicans attempted to attach a provision repealing the city’s handgun ban.
• The House passed several bills increasing benefits for military veterans.
• The House passed a bill directing federal funds to housing projects in areas damaged by Hurricane Katrina and its aftereffects.