His mere mention of the topic prompted lengthy applause from the Republican side of the chamber.

CNN: Obama calls for Congress to face health care challenge

Based on that, Odinga had earlier said he would station himself on the government side of the chamber.

CNN: Kenya opposition wins two votes

Beyond the ballot box, then, rears the spectre of a possible stalemate, with one side controlling the Chamber of Deputies and the other the Senate.

ECONOMIST: Italy's election

Finger-pointing erupted between the AFL-CIO and the chamber, with each side accusing the other of trying to sink immigration reform, leaving prospects for a resolution unclear.

NPR: Business, Labor Close On Deal For Immigration Bill

There are also side rooms for meetings and a council chamber from where proceedings will be streamed online.

BBC: South East Wales

On the other side are the U.S. Chamber, the American Bankers Association and other business interests who say arbitration is a cheaper and more effective way to resolve business disputes.

FORBES: Supreme Court Asked: Are Class Actions Sacred?

If one of these spent shells is in the chamber, racking the slide will, in a single fluid motion, eject the old shell out the side of the gun and push a fresh round into the chamber.

NEWYORKER: A Loaded Gun

Now, finally, many in this chamber, particularly on the Republican side of the aisle, have long insisted that reforming our medical malpractice laws can help bring down the costs of health care.

CNN: Obama offers health care details in speech to Congress

It's too early to tell which side will prevail--the bills still have to overcome several hurdles before being passed by either chamber.

FORBES: The Skies Get Unfriendly

The Senate chamber is laid out in four concentric semicircles, with adjacent desks almost touching on the crowded Democratic side, and the desks of the much smaller Republican minority spaced loosely apart.

NEWYORKER: The Empty Chamber