So this is what the GOP-led US House of Representives spent it's first day back from recess on:

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/09/07/h orse.slaughtering/index.html

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- After a five-week summer recess, one of the House of Representatives' first items of business was a vote on a bill to ban horse slaughtering in the United States.

Must have already taken care of all the important stuff.

http://www.bluenc.com/node/3012

From Screwy Hoolie at BlueNC

4/13/06 - 6/30/06

Heath Shuler for Congress:
Total Contributions (other than loans) 313,563.84
Cash On Hand At Close Of The Reporting Period 668,745.43

Charles Taylor:
Total Contributions (other than loans) 172,819.85
Cash On Hand At Close Of The Reporting Period 237,924.47

Each candidate has now raised over a million dollars. Charles Taylor spent most of his trying to pay himself back for all the personal money he spent to smear Patsy Keever on television and radio in 2004. Heath Shuler has spent his building a ground game.

Shuler Keeps Lead in Race for US House

July 11, 2006, Raleigh, NC

http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/poll_ data.asp

According to a Public Policy Polling survey released today, likely voters in North Carolina's Eleventh Congressional District give an edge to Democratic challenger Heath Shuler over incumbent Republican Charles Taylor in their race for Congress.  Shuler leads 47% to 43% without leaners and 51% to 45% with leaners.  Shuler leads among Independents by a 2-1 margin, 58%-29%.

The poll of 675 likely voters was conducted July 10th and has a margin of error of +/- 3.7%.