if House and/or Senate is won by Democrats...

[QuestionAll...]

when does the official change over happen?

with the presidential race the inauguration takes place in January, but who holds the official power from Nov to January?

[shawn703]

1. Still January n/t

[sillyphoenix]

3. So, enough time for the outgoing congress to issue a final "F YOU"

eom

[QuestionAll...]

9. that was what I was thinking... but

a poster below said that not likely anything will pass from now to Jan.

Will Pitt accused me of being ignorant or stupid or something but I see there are others here as well that are not quite sure what this could mean. Thanks for the info from the serious ones tho, appreciated.

[Beer Snob-50]

11. i think the democrats would be able to slow down any

chance that the repubs would have of doing this.

[QuestionAll...]

12. what if there was a 'Gulf of Tonkin' episode with Iran

in this middle time before transition.

Just saying that there is still plenty of time for October surprises, looks to me.

[feduppuke]

2. A new congress

is usually sworn in on the first working day of the year (January 2 or 3). The old congress remains in power until that time, but nothing will get passsed if there is a power shift due in a couple of months.

[Sammy Pepys]

4. January

110th Congress officially begins January 3.

[WilliamPitt]

5. I find it strange

that you don't know this basic information. Civics 101 stuff here.

Nice to know. Puts all your kind words towards me in a better perspective.

Heh.

:shaking head:

[QuestionAll...]

6. I'm not american, so bloody sorry, Willie. nt

[WilliamPitt]

7. But you're so astute about American politics

At least you seem to think you are, given the way you talk around here.

Don't worry about it. You made me feel a lot better. Thanks. :)

[QuestionAll...]

10. 'You may think you are thru with the past, but the past is not thru with you. '

Just an interesting line from a movie.

edit:
ack, wrong thread.

[TahitiNut]

8. 20th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States

Section 1

The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.

Section 2

The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3rd day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.

Section 3

If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become President. If a President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until a President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President elect shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in which one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a President or Vice President shall have qualified.

Section 4

The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the House of Representatives may choose a President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the Senate may choose a Vice President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them.

Section 5

Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of October following the ratification of this article.

Section 6

This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twentieth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution