The New Congress

With Democrats now in control in both the House and Senate, the focus right now is on the leadership positions in both chambers of Congress.

Here's a look at some of the numbers and what's ahead according to ACLJ's Director of Government Affairs. In the House, there are 54 total new freshmen. Ten of the 13 new Republicans are strong conservatives who will join the Republican Study Committee, the conservative caucus in the House.  In contrast, the Main Street Partnership, the moderate, pro-choice wing of the House Republicans, lost more than 50% of its membership last Tuesday and will add only three new members. On the Democrat side, the conservative Blue Dog Democratic coalition has increased its representation from 38 members to 44 members.

What remains to be seen is how these new numbers will impact the leadership elections in the House. On Thursday, the Democrats will hold their leadership elections. California Democrat Nancy Pelosi is going to become the new Speaker of the House, but one step below her, the race for Majority Leader is shaping up to be an interesting fight between the liberal John Murtha and the moderate Steny Hoyer. With Pelosi endorsing Murtha today, the momentum is behind Murtha.  That one election could dictate the course of the House the new two years.

On the Republican side, leadership elections are Friday and there is a whole new slate running for every leadership position. While Joe Barton of Texas has thrown his hat into the race for Minority Leader, it appears the real race is between current Majority Leader John Boehner of Ohio and Republican Study Committee Chairman Mike Pence of Indiana and is likely to shape up as a vote between the perceived status-quo and a need for real change.

In the Senate, the Republicans hold leadership elections on Wednesday. While Mitch McConnell of Kentucky will become the new Minority Leader, the race for Minority Whip is seeing a leadership resurgence by Trent Lott of Mississippi.

The real story in the Senate, though, is the change in make-up of various committees, the biggest concern being the Senate Judiciary Committee. Not only will Republicans become the minority in that committee, Patrick Leahy of Vermont will become the new Chairman, a man who has blocked numerous conservative nominees in the past and continually sought to do so as ranking member on Judiciary the past two years. The issue of confirming judicial nominees will take on a different focus with respect to this leadership change.

We will keep you posted as developments unfold concerning the structure and leadership in the new Congress.