There was good news Wednesday for House Republicans looking to learn Español — as long as they’re willing to get up early.

Rep. Jerry Weller (R-Ill.), who has been tasked by Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) with improving the GOP’s outreach to the Hispanic community, announced that Spanish classes would soon be available to House Republican Members and aides.

[IMGCAP(1)] The class for lawmakers will take place for 10 legislative weeks from 7 to 9 a.m. on Wednesdays before the GOP Conference’s regular meetings. So far, 19 Republican House Members and one Senator have signed up. Classes for staffers will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays; 50 aides have enrolled so far.

House Democrats already have a similar program.

The Blair Invite Project. Momentum is building for British Prime Minister Tony Blair to receive a formal invitation to address a joint session of Congress.

House leaders have been mulling asking Blair to speak for several months, but they have been waiting to find out when exactly the prime minister will be in the United States before issuing an official invitation.

On Wednesday, Reps. Ed Royce

(R-Calif.) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) sent a letter to Hastert and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) pushing for a joint session to happen. The letter was co-signed by 63 House Members.

The Senate has already approved a measure awarding Blair the Congressional Gold Medal, while an identical House bill is awaiting a floor vote.

— Ben Pershing