House, Senate try to get organized
The House and Senate will conduct organizational business this week and then formally certify the electoral tally for president Saturday. The House meets at noon Wednesday to re-elect Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., and, after the speaker swears in new members, the new House will vote on a package of rules changes. Once the House and Senate finish their work this week, neither is expected to return until the presidential inauguration Jan. 20. The House will then take another break until the week of Jan. 30, with House Republicans planning to hold a retreat for members Feb. 1-2. Votes are expected the week of Feb. 5, when the federal budget is scheduled to be submitted. A spokeswoman for Senate Minority Leader Daschle said it is his intent not to return for sessions until the week of Jan. 22, although Cabinet confirmation hearings can be scheduled in the interim. On Thursday, the House GOP Steering Committee will choose committee chairmen, and the full GOP Conference will then meet later Thursday to ratify those selections, although members can request a vote on individual chairmen. On Thursday or Friday, the House will vote on the slate of committee chairmen. On this typically party line vote, Democrats propose their own slate of chairmen as an alternative to the GOP slate. The GOP Steering Committee will meet Friday on committee assignments. Then the House and Senate meet separately Saturday to certify the electoral vote for president. The Senate last year passed a resolution to move the vote up to Friday, but the House never acted on the measure. The Senate meets at noon Wednesday to swear in new senators, after which some senators may give opening day speeches. And the Senate Commerce Committee plans a confirmation hearing for Commerce Secretary-designate Donald L. Evans Thursday at 10 a.m., with Commerce Chairman John McCain, R-Ariz., presiding. But the schedule beyond that remains unclear, because of the uncertainty about how Republicans and Democrats will share power with a 50-50 split in membership. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., and Tom Daschle, D-S.D., met again this morning on that point, but Daschle's spokeswoman said no agreements have been reached. On Thursday and Friday, Senate Republicans will hold a retreat at the Library of Congress.