New Congress Faces Economy, Foreign Policy Challenges

KWAME HOLMAN:

The first day of a new Congress traditionally is reserved for pomp and circumstance, but today was no ordinary day on Capitol Hill.

Members were sworn in this afternoon under extraordinary circumstances, with the country enmeshed in the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression and faced with an ambitious stimulus plan being put forward by President-elect Barack Obama.

Beyond the legislative agenda, there also was the matter of how to handle embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's appointment of Roland Burris to fill Mr. Obama's Senate seat.

The press swarmed around Burris as he arrived this morning to present his credentials to the secretary of the Senate. Afterward, Burris told reporters that he'd been turned away and now was considering legal options.

ROLAND BURRIS, senator-designate, Illinois: I presented my credentials to the secretary of the Senate and advised that my credentials were not in order, and I would not be accepted, and I will not be seated, and I will not be permitted on the floor.

And, therefore, I am not seeking to have any type of confrontation. I will now consult with my attorneys, and we will determine what our next step will be.

KWAME HOLMAN:

In addition to not seating Burris, the Senate also was short a senator from Minnesota, as Democrat Al Franken's apparent victory there has not yet been certified fully by the state.

Despite those outstanding seats, Democrats in both houses of Congress will hold majorities not seen since the early 1990s. But Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said today Democrats would not use their advantage to strong-arm Republicans, touting the need for the parties to work together to solve urgent problems.

SEN. HARRY REID, D.-Nev., Senate majority leader: There's no question that the challenges ahead of us are staggering. I don't think anyone would disagree. But I am confident that, if we renew in this body our commitment to bipartisanship, the 111th Congress will be a tremendous success.

KWAME HOLMAN:

Reid's GOP counterpart, Mitch McConnell, also struck a bipartisan note in his floor remarks.

SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL, R.-Ky., Senate minority leader: The parties will continue to disagree. This is good for democracy. But political conflict is not an end in itself. At this moment, we have an opportunity to show the American people that we know that.

KWAME HOLMAN:

One of the first opportunities for bipartisanship will come on the massive spending and tax relief program soon to be presented by President-elect Obama, with debates starting in the House.

Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank, who chairs the Financial Services Committee, said Democrats should not be shy about acting boldly when it comes to solving the country's economic problems.

REP. BARNEY FRANK, D.-Mass.:

There's a very strong sense among those of us on the Democratic side that we are in a position now to do more for the national interest than almost any of us here have ever been able to do.

KWAME HOLMAN:

Fellow Democrat Charles Rangel, who chairs the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, urged Republicans to give the proposal a chance.

REP. CHARLIE RANGEL, D.-N.Y.:

They might say it depends on how much input they're going to have. Are we going to take into consideration their concerns? They would be right in saying that.

But, right now, I'm spending a lot of time talking with minority members in my committee, as well as the minority leaders, in trying to determine, have they made up their mind? Do they really want to cooperate? Or do they think, because of their dramatic losses, it would be better just to be the devil's advocate and to be the opposition?

KWAME HOLMAN:

Kansas Republican Lynn Jenkins, one of more than 50 new House members, promised to give the stimulus plan a fair shot.

REP. LYNN JENKINS, R.-Kan.:

It's overwhelming to be met with that day one, but I think we all knew coming into this deal that that was going to be job one. And I think we're all trying to approach this with an open mind, knowing that our nation needs to find some bipartisan solutions, and we just need to get folks some relief.

KWAME HOLMAN:

North Carolina Republican Patrick McHenry said he could get behind a plan, as long as it includes sensible prescriptions for cutting taxes and rebuilding the nation's infrastructure.

REP. PATRICK MCHENRY, R.-N.C.:

It's very difficult for me as a policymaker to give someone a blank check and say that I'll support a piece of legislation sight unseen. So the issue here is, is the public view, the openness of the process, and that will determine where people end up voting.

If you know the full scope of the legislation, I think you could make a better determination on whether that's the right approach or the wrong approach.

What's clear, though, is something has to be done. Republicans and Democrats are willing to work together for the American people. And on this economic package, we can come together with something that's sensible.

KWAME HOLMAN:

The exact timing of the stimulus plan is uncertain, but once Mr. Obama puts forward a proposal, it's expected to be completed by Congress by early next month.