Furthering C-SPAN’s goal to make its content available in as many ways as possible, the political network that offers gavel-to-gavel broadcasts of the House and Senate announced Monday that three of its premier programs are now available as podcasts.

[IMGCAP(1)] Beginning this week, “After Words” and “Q and A,” as well as segments from “American Perspectives,” will be available as audio files that can be downloaded via the Internet to desktop computers or iPod/MP3 players. They will be available at www.c-span.org/podcast.

While these weekly shows are the first C-SPAN programs to use podcasting technology, the network said it plans to make additional programming available for podcasts in the future.

Bicentennial Bash. On the 200th birthday of Constantino Brumidi, Congressional movers and shakers will convene in the Rotunda this morning to pay homage to the Italian-born artist who was behind many of the ornate murals adorning the walls and ceilings of the Capitol building.

Members of the House and Senate leadership, as well as Congress’ chaplains, the U.S. Air Force band and a Capitol Police color guard are scheduled to attend the invitation-only ceremony honoring Brumidi, who is responsible for decorating such features of the Capitol as the canopy of the Dome and the eponymous Senate-wing corridors. Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) will emcee the event.

Scheduled speakers include Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.), co-authors of the concurrent resolution authorizing the ceremony, as well as Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wy.), Rep. Michael Bilirakis (R-Fla.) and former Rep. Lindy Boggs (D-La.).

After the event, invitees will hear additional remarks and enjoy birthday cake in Statuary Hall.

— John McArdle and Bree Hocking