these examples were taken from a story entitled, "Stalled bills, scandal, and GOP defeat"
2005
January
Rep. Bob Matsui (D-Calif.) dies
House passes so-called DeLay rule, then backtracks
Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) formally challenges presidential election resultsFebruary
Some Democrats hiss at President Bush during his State of the Union address Class-action reform passes
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) diagnosed with cancer
September
Congress returns early to pass hurricane-relief bill
Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) says she wants to punch Bush as criticism of federal and state response to deadly hurricane mounts Frists selling of HCA stock triggers investigations
DeLay indicted, steps down as majority leader
November
Reid shuts down Senate, calling for debate on pre-Iraq war intelligence Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.) calls for immediate withdrawal of troops in Iraq
Cunningham pleads guilty, resigns from House
December
Democrats grapple with position on Iraq DeLay trial to continue into 2006, hampering his chances of returning to leadership
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) wins showdown with White House on detainee bill
Senate tackles spending reconciliation bill and defense measures after House passage
2006
January
Jack Abramoff pleads guilty
Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio) steps aside as Administration Committee chairman, says he will run for reelection even if indicted
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) says House is run like a plantation Democratic filibuster against Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito falls short; Alito confirmed, 58-42
http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/121306/gopdefeat.html