1.  a) Who are Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi? 
b) What state does each represent?

2.  What request did Mr. Reid and Ms. Pelosi make of President Bush in a letter last Friday? 

3.  According to military professionals Mr. Reid has talked to, what is the solution to the problem in Iraq?

4.  Instead of sending more troops to Iraq, what did Mr. Reid urge President Bush to do?

5.  Read the following BACKGROUND ON CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES:
Due to the high volume and complexity of its work, Congress divides its
legislative, oversight, and internal administrative tasks among committees and
subcommittees. Within assigned subject areas, committees and subcommittees gather
information; compare and evaluate legislative alternatives; identify policy problems and
propose solutions to them; select, determine the text of, and report out measures for the
full chambers to consider; monitor executive branch performance of duties (oversight);
and look into allegations of wrongdoing (investigation). [from the PDF document "The Committee System in the U.S. Congress" found at usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/politics/legbranc/committee_system]
a) What is the purpose of the House Foreign Affairs Committee?
b) What is the purpose of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee?
c) What will each committee focus on this week?
d) How do these hearings change the focus of the Democrats' plans for their first few weeks as the majority in Congress?

6.  Do you think more troops should be sent to Iraq, or troops should be brought home?  Explain your answer.