The week on the Hill: Pivotal events in Congress

Despite the heavy emphasis during the fall campaigns on helping seniors purchase medicine, top congressional Republicans and Democratic health care guru Sen. [John Breaux] of Louisiana emerged from a March 5 meeting with President [Bush] to affirm that they aren't the types to put the cart before the horse: They said they are ready to pass comprehensive Medicare reform this year, with a new prescription drug benefit as part of the package.