• Debate begins over Owen, and validity of filibusters. Frist: "We must restore the 214-year-old principle that every judicial nominee with majority support deserves an up-or-down vote." Reid: "If Republicans roll back our rights in this chamber, there will be no check on their power." [WP, WP, NYT, NYT, LAT, USAT, WT]

• NBC/WSJ poll: 65% say Congress doesn't share their priorities; 42% say their representative deserves re-election; 56% are against mixing Social Security and the markets; Bush's approval unchanged at 47%. Filibuster showdown isn't helping. [WSJ, LAT]

• White House quietly pulls strings to bring votes on nominees; Cheney, Mehlman, Rove on the case. [NYT]

• Democrats issue 64-page report on Bolton; Republicans counter that he's "a highly qualified nominee." [WP, NYT]

•Bush: "Democratic change and free elections are exhilarating events. . . but history teaches that the path to a free society is long and not always smooth." [NYT]

• Grenade found near Bush now deemed a threat. [USAT, NYT, WT]

•Stevens first spoke of "nuclear option" in February, 2003. [WP]

•Owen viewed as "thorough and careful judge" who often sides with business. [LAT]

• House votes 424 to 4 to drop color-coded threat system. [WP]

• House Republicans want to undo campaign spending limits. [WP]

•DeLay "adamantly opposed" to stem cell research bill; vote expected next week. [NYT, LAT]

• Congress ready to legislate steroids in MLB. [LAT]