Economic crisis, Obama response face new Congress
Vice President Dick Cheney called the Senate to order at midday, then began the ceremonial duties of swearing in 32 senators who triumphed in November elections.
Democrat Roland Burris of Illinois was not among them informed he would not be seated because his paperwork was not in order. He pledged a lawsuit, the latest twist in a political drama that began when he was appointed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich, charged with having attempted to sell the seat.
Across the Capitol, Lorraine C. Miller, clerk of the House, rapped the opening gavel, prelude to a day of ceremony highlighted by Nancy Pelosi's re-election as speaker. "We need action and we need action now," she said minutes after taking the gavel, symbol of her authority.
Democrats looked ahead to two years of increased strength after picking up seats in both houses at least seven in the Senate and 21 in the House. With their gains as well as with Obama in the White House after Jan. 20 they looked forward to an agenda of fixing the economy, ending the war in Iraq, expanding health care and more.
"We are ready to answer the call of the American people by putting the past eight years behind us and delivering the change that our country desperately needs," he said.
And yet, he told Republicans, "we are in this together," when it comes to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the economic crisis and more.
The day was heavy on ceremony.
The Senate galleries were crowded as Cheney administered the oath to senators in groups of four. Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware was among them, taking the oath of office for a seat that he has held for more than three decades, and will relinquish in a matter of days to become Obama's vice president.
The atmosphere in the House was family-friendly as children, grandchildren and other relatives joined lawmakers in the large chamber, lit for television.
Sean and Tommy Rooney, ages 5 and 7, wore T-shirts with their last name on the back. Their father, Rep. Thomas Rooney, is a freshman Republican from Florida.
Recent comments
So Obamacon is now declaring the national economy was bad and getting...
Bro Chuck's Rant n Rave | Jan. 6, 2009 at 11:12 a.m.
Don't they look so thoughtful and concerned!!
All it needs is a...
Love the Picture! | Jan. 6, 2009 at 11:09 a.m.
- I-80 reconstruction finally done 6:55 p.m.
- Child porn case nets fed sentence 6:44 p.m.
- Groups celebrate Dobbs' CNN exit 6:43 p.m.
- H1H1 slightly down in Utah 6:40 p.m.
- Retirement fund still seeking money 6:39 p.m.
- Judge to send message in mink case 6:37 p.m.
- Man arrested in WJ armed robbery 6:35 p.m.
- Smoking up nationally, down in Utah 5:36 p.m.
- 4A: Springville holds off Dixie 5:28 p.m.
- Lit flicks: Holiday movie offerings 5:17 p.m.
- House passes health care bill
329 - SLC council OKs gay rights policies
314 - TCU showdown has big implications
195 - Senators want food tax restored
158 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Will state consider gay rights law?
131 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
124 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
117
Maybe someone out there can help me understand how raising the state...
BSU: 1 BCS > 0 BCS from BYU Hawaii: 1 BCS > 0 BCS from BYU and... Mighty...
since you posted about 20 comments in a row, it really doesn't matter if some...
Prejean is a horrible example as she was FIRED FOR NOT DOING HER JOB! She...
woulda coulda shoulda - just more of the same pg fan talking smack because...
A serious illness can try the souls of all involved. People can make a...
My wife has MS and we have battled together with it. In sickness and in...
I love the false claim that Jon Huntsman is a "self-made man"! Ha! What a...
["are we defining "marriage" so narrowly that all it means to us is the...
RE: Re: Pagan | 5:47 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009 You honestly believe that...
yoot fans have nothing better to do, especially since there are self-serve...


