Today in Congress, Tuesday 4 January 2005
109th Congress, 1st Session
Senate Legislative Day 1
House Legislative Day 1
Today the new Congress convenes, significantly nuttier then the last one. More below the fold....
Counting the Days
2 days until Electoral College certification
16 days until Bush's term begins
301 days until FY 2006
1 year, 305 days until Midterm Elections
4 years, 16 days remaining in the Bush II Presidency
4 years, 23 days since the Death of Democracy (Bush v. Gore)
Congressional Action
The Senate convenes at 12 noon.
New Senators will be sworn in and other routine business for convening the new Senate will be conducted. No votes are anticipated.
The House convenes at 12 noon.
Following a quorum call, the election of a Speaker, and the swearing in of Members, the House will consider the new set of House rules for the 109th Congress. Although the rules package will not include the expected ethics changes (per Kos's front page posting last night), it will probably contain provisions making the Homeland Security Committee a permanent committee, forcing a review of the budget process (potentially making spending increases more difficult), and allowing Representatives to characterize Senators and the Senate in House floor statements.