Welcome to the New Congress

Welcome to the New Congress. Every two years we start over.

This Tuesday, at 1200, the first session of the 111th Congress will be convened. It will be interesting to see if Illinois has two Senators sitting, or if it will be just one. I do expect that the new Senate will seat Al Franken (D) from Minnesota, although there are law suits pending over the close election and precincts with more ballots than voters.

On the House of Representatives side of the Capital it should be relatively straight forward. No big issues. The Democratic Party holds the majority of seats. Speaker Nancy Pelosi will be in charge. Well, there is the question of Rep Charlie Rangel soliciting money. And, his parking tickets--which reminds me, I have to pay one to the City of Lowell. And, there is this commentary from a Princeton Prof next door (to Rep Rangel).

We begin this new session of Congress with high hopes and great anticipation.

Regards -- Cliff