As the 108th Congress convenes this week, Congressional spouses are getting their own reality check.

Besides the usual fanfare and regular orientation activities, lawmakers’ spouses are being asked to attend a security briefing this morning in the Longworth House Office Building.

According to House Administration Chairman Bob Ney (R-Ohio), the session will feature speakers such as House Sergeant-at-Arms Bill Livingood and Capitol Police Chief Terrance Gainer, who will discuss emergency evacuation and general security tips.

Head of the Class. Rep. Sue Myrick (R-N.C.) is replacing Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz.) as chairwoman of the Republican Study Committee, a GOP caucus of more than 70 conservative Members.

“I am enormously gratified to have been selected as the new RSC chair, and I look forward to advancing our conservative agenda into the 108th Congress,” said Myrick, who will serve a two-year term.

Shadegg praised his successor as “intelligent, articulate, and committed to ensuring that the RSC remains an influential force in Congress.”

Accounting 101. If you don’t know how to handle a 107-2 Bill or you don’t know what one is, you might want to consider attending the Housing Learning Center’s special accounting seminars.

The seminars, intended to help staffers learn valuable accounting tips, will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Friday and from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Monday. The topics will include everything from establishing a budget to consolidated billing and “re-districting solutions.”

New and Improved. Cybervisitors to the House of Representatives are encountering a new Web site this week.

On Tuesday, the House launched a redesigned 108th Congress edition of the House’s public Web site, www.house.gov.

According to Ney, the site’s “Write our Representative” feature is easier to navigate and the site provides expanded search capabilities for easier retrieval of information on Members, committees and leadership.

Constituents can locate their Members simply by typing in their home ZIP codes or can search the entire site using a QuickSearch tool.

Member and committee sites are also accessible from a drop-down menu, and additional links to executive branch agencies have been added to provide the public with better access to government information.

— Amy Keller