Summer vacation is coming just in time for Congress, as tempers are running short in Washington over power, politics and personalities.

The House had to shut down business Wednesday when fighting between Republicans and Democrats got too intense.

Democrats accused Republicans of engaging in stall tactics while Republicans said Democrats were preventing them from offering amendments to bills.

Things got even nastier Thursday night when Republicans staged a walkout after accusing Democrats of manipulating the results of a vote.

Even relations within parties are being strained. Moderate Democrats are accusing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of driving the party too far to the left.

On the Republican side, Sens. John McCain and George Voinovich reportedly almost came to blows in the Senate cloakroom over the Iraqi war.

It sounds like this is a good time for members of Congress to spend some time away from each other.

Through it all, the Democratic majority in Congress is finally starting to deliver on some its campaign promises after taking a lot of flak from voters.

Working late into the night several times over the past two weeks, Congress has:

Passed a sweeping ethics and lobbying reform in both chambers by wide margins.

The bill is aimed at making it harder for lawmakers to hide their involvement in earmarking federal money for special interest projects. The measure also mandates more disclosure of fundraising by lobbyists.

Adopted the security recommendations of the 9/11 Commission in an effort to make ports, airports, trains and other facilities safer from attack.

Voted to expanded health care coverage for low-income children. Differences between the House bill and the Senate version still need to be worked out.

Members of Congress would be well advised to rest up during their break. When they return in September, the contentiousness in Washington may be worse than ever.

There is sure to be a fight between the Bush administration and critics of the war in Iraq over the success of the troop surge in Baghdad.

The administration is already broadly hinting that the surge is working, while Democrats want to start winding down the war.

There will also be a fight over the health care bill for children.

Bush has promised to veto it, calling it too expensive.

The Senate version passed by a wide, veto-proof margin, but the more expansive House plan only received narrow approval.

The House may have to compromise and accept the Senate design if it wants the bill to survive.

One remarkable aspect about the debate over the health care bill is that a huge increase in the cigarette tax that goes with it was never a key point of difference.

Most of the opposition to the bill came from those who said it would undermine private insurance plans and lead to socialized medicine.

Democrats are hoping that racking up a string of legislative victories on domestic issues will help reverse the huge drop in their approval rating with voters.

JIM HAND covers politics for The Sun Chronicle. His commentaries appear in this space on Saturdays. Contact him at 508-236-0399 or at jhand@thesunchronicle.com.