Although the 105th Congress remains in session and House Speaker-designate Bob Livingston, R-La., will not formally begin his speakership until Jan. 6, the transition from the era of Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., to the Livingston era is already underway, with Livingston and Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., set to meet late Thursday morning in Lott's office, according to aides both legislators.
Gingrich spokeswoman Christina Martin confirmed Gingrich's staff will close up shop and be out of their Capitol offices by Dec. 11, and Livingston spokesman Mark Corallo said their staff will begin moving in the following Monday, Dec. 14. Gingrich-who this afternoon had staffers lined up from his Capitol office through Statuary Hall and outside the House chamber waiting to get their photo taken with him-is expected to make his final public appearance as speaker next Tuesday at the annual congressional Christmas tree lighting. Beforehand, at 3 p.m., Gingrich plans to host a holiday party for the media in the Capitol.
The same day, Livingston and his new leadership team for the 106th Congress are planning a retreat off the Capitol grounds; no location had been set at presstime.
In other matters, a spokesman for House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt, R-Mo., said Gephardt and Livingston staffers met again Monday to discuss potential changes in partisan committee ratios to reflect Democratic gains in the November elections.
On the other side of the Capitol, no Senate schedule for 1999 has been released, although Senators will be back briefly for the opening of the new Congress Jan. 6, return for the State of the Union address and then leave for the Presidents' Day recess Feb. 12.
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