AP: Lame-duck Congress to reconvene

[Eugene]

Nov. 13, 2006, 1:19AM
Lame-duck Congress to reconvene

By ANDREW TAYLOR Associated Press Writer
© 2006 The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Congress returns this week with triumphant Democrats and vanquished
Republicans focusing more on the upcoming change in power than on President Bush's
wish list for the final few months of GOP rule.

The main order of House business planned for Monday was consideration of a free-trade
bill with Vietnam, ahead of Bush's scheduled visit there Friday. Also planned are
orientation meetings for more than 50 incoming House freshmen.

The real action, however, will be off the floor as the speaker-to-be, Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.,
prepares to take the reins of the House and Harry Reid, D-Nev., does the same in the
Senate.

-snip-

On the Democratic side, politicking is under way for party leadership elections scheduled
for Thursday. Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., a Marine Corps veteran and hawk on military
issues who became the darling of the anti-war movement after calling for a U.S. pullout
from Iraq, is running against Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer of Maryland to be majority
leader.

-snip-

House Republicans also have leadership fights. Three lawmakers hope to succeed Speaker
Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., as the GOP leader. Hastert said last week that he doesn't want
to be minority leader.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/politics/4329994.html