As the heat index rose, so too, did the olfactory factor for the sea of visitors waiting outside the Capitol's doors waiting to explore the seat of lawmaking, DCExaminer.com reported Tuesday.

"In the summer, because of the heat and high humidity, you could literally smell the tourists coming into the Capitol," Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada said during the ceremony marking the opening of the $621 million center.

He added that his staff had urged him not to make that observation during the ceremony.

Thanks to the air-conditioned indoor center, visitors will be seen by members of Congress, and not smelled, the Web site said.