Gen. David Patraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker will testify before Congress on Tuesday.

Their testimony comes amid bloody fighting in Sadr City and after last week's battle in the southern Iraqi city of Basara,

Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the presumptive Republican nominee, and Democratic Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton also will get to question (lecture?) the general and ambassador.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, also will get a chance to question the general and ambassador when they testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Senate Democrats will press Republicans to join them in offering a second stimulus package to help stem home foreclosures and extend unemployment insurance payments.

Here's what's happening with the rest of the Maine delegation:

Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, introduced a bipartisan legislation that would allow small business owners to pool resources across state lines to make health insurance more affordable.

Rep. Tom Allen, D-Maine, introduced legislation last week that would give first time home buyers a $5,000 tax credit (those of us living in Washington, D.C., have had access to this credit since 1997 because it was part of a budget agreement between President Clinton and former Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga.).

He also introduced a bill to improve Internet access in rural areas, and is holding a press conference today in Bangor to promote the legislation.

If President Bush sends a free trade agreement up to Capitol Hill for ratification, watch for Rep. Michael Michaud, D-Maine, to lead the opposition.

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