31.   That view was echoed by senior Democratic staff aides.

32.   The congressmen say they also want an investigation into charges that federal agencies misallocated research funds targeted toward Lyme research, staff aides said Tuesday.

33.   The current round of talks began Wednesday with meetings on Capitol Hill involving low-level staff aides.

34.   The committee is expected to vote on the nomination later this month, and staff aides said the expected outcome was unclear.

35.   The names of the individuals are too sacred to be used by reverent staff aides.

36.   The officials did not meet Tuesday, but senior staff aides with the House Appropriations Committee said meetings are planned for later in the week.

37.   They include Karen Hughes, counselor to the president, the highest-ranking female staff aide in the history of the White House.

38.   Waterman then found work as a legislative staff aide and speechwriter, working mainly for the Senate Minority Policy Committee.

39.   Vice President Al Gore has boasted of how e-mail is replacing the telephone as his means of communicating with staff aides.

40.   Colombian Environmental Minister Juan Mayr has been discussing the issue with administration officials and congressional staff aides.