New Congress Convenes
W A S H I N G T O N, Jan. 3 -- The historic and closely divided 107th Congress convened today, as new and old House and Senate members took the oath of office.
For the first time since 1881, Republicans and Democrats are split evenly in the Senate, and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton became the first presidential spouse to be sworn-in as an elected official.
The two parties are sharply at odds over key issues such as tax relief, Social Security and Medicare, but today, the Congress was a model of bipartisanship, as leaders on both sides of the aisle called for cooperation.
“As we begin this historic Congress, let us resolve that we will work in good faith, with each other, to do the people’s business,” said Democratic leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D.
“We’re showing here today … thatwe will always find a way to work together,” added Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss. who, between now and Inauguration Day, must relinquish his position as Senate majority leader to Daschle, because Vice President Al Gore, in his role as presiding officer of the Senate, casts the tie-breaking vote.
Once George W. Bush is sworn-in as president and Dick Cheney as vice president on Jan. 20, however, the chamber will revert back to Republican control.
“I assure you I intend to savor every one of the next 17 days,” joked Daschle.
First Lady in the Limelight
Daschle may be the highest-ranking Democrat on Capitol Hill, but Mrs. Clinton is certain to have the highest profile. President Clinton and daughter Chelsea watched on from the visitors’ gallery as the new junior senator from New York was administered the oath of office by Gore.
“I’m so proud of you,” Gore told Mrs. Clinton.
Senate Associate Historian Donald Ritchie called the moment extraordinary.
“There is the vice president, who is president of the Senate, who is also a defeated candidate for president, swearing in the wife of the president,” Ritchie observed.
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