Where Congress agrees | csmonitor.com: "Despite the long-awaited showdown over judges expected in the Senate as early as Wednesday, powerful forces are at work against partisan gridlock, both within and without Congress.

From the business lobby to elements within the parties themselves, pressure is growing to make progress on major legislation at a time when the public perception of Congress is often one of almost total stasis.

And, underneath the posturing and political infighting, work is getting done. Take roads. They run through every state and congressional district in the nation, and economists say that every $1 billion spent on roads creates 40,000 jobs. The Senate version of the bill proposes at least $284 billion in spending on the nation's highways and ground transportation.

That's why both parties are moving the highway bill for a vote on the Senate floor before the expected blowup over a rule change that would make it easier to confirm judges."

(Via Christian Science Monitor.)