So other than those assigned to speak at specified times, the senators simply went home, or to their Capitol offices.

The first was played out on the floor; the second was negotiated in Capitol offices.

"Now is not a time for finger- pointing or politics as usual," he said from his Capitol office.

"I don't even think about it," he said in an interview in his Capitol office.

Each member had a new desk to serve as his Capitol office.

His Capitol office logged 10 calls, six in favor of the President and four opposed.

They talk on the phone, ringing each other at home or using a special line reserved for calls between their Capitol offices.

"It came out of the blue," he said in a brief interview outside his Capitol office.

Lawmakers, including senators, often find themselves lining up outside the speaker's Capitol office, seeking this favor or that.

"I haven't been able to move the Democrats," he said, in a brief interview outside his Capitol office.