There was a hum of amazement and horror from the spectators, but the senator appeared not to notice it.

Still, they stressed to reporters that the senator had not appeared in court on his own, but had been subpoenaed.

Ms. Cox said she could not even guarantee that the seven southern senators would appear.

Many senators appear to have made a political calculation that the speaking fees would be less controversial than a sizable pay increase.

By placing the two amendments in the same bill, senators appeared to give contradictory directives to the president.

First of all, it said, the only reason the senator did not appear was because of his busy schedule.

His answers were filled with detail and citations, sometimes more than the senators appeared to want.

Then the senator appears, saying he does not represent oil companies, pharmaceutical companies or "the Enrons of this world."

Yet the senator does not appear in any rush to leave.

While only three senators appeared at today's subcommittee hearing, there is deep interest in the issue in Congress.