Economic crisis faces new US Congress

7 Jan 2009, 6:01 am   -   Source: AAP
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The new Democratic-controlled US Congress has opened for business, eager to join Barack Obama in tackling the worst economic crisis in generations.

The new Democratic-controlled US Congress has opened for business, eager to join president-elect Barack Obama in tackling the worst economic crisis in generations.

Vice President Dick Cheney called the Senate to order at midday local time on Tuesday, then began the ceremonial duties of swearing in 32 senators who triumphed in November elections.

Democrat Roland Burris of Illinois was not among them - informed he would not be seated because his paperwork was not in order.

He pledged a lawsuit, the latest twist in a political drama that began when he was appointed by Governor Rod Blagojevich, charged with having attempted to sell the seat.

The House of Representatives was gavelled to order, a prelude to a day of ceremony highlighted by Nancy Pelosi's re-election as speaker.

Democrats looked ahead to two years of increased strength after picking up seats in both houses - at least seven in the Senate and 21 in the House. With their gains - as well as with Obama in the White House after January 20 - they looked forward to an agenda of fixing the economy, ending the war in Iraq, expanding health care and more.

But first came the ceremonial opening session.

The Senate galleries were crowded as Cheney administered the oath to senators in groups of four. Senator Joseph Biden was among them, taking the oath of office for a seat that he has held for more than three decades, and will relinquish in a matter of days to become Obama's vice president.

The atmosphere in the House was family-friendly as children, grandchildren and other relatives joined lawmakers in the large chamber, lit for television.

Apart from Biden, at least two lawmakers will not be there for long. Representative Hilda Solis, a Democrat, was nominated as Secretary of Labour in the Obama administration, and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton is departing Congress to become Secretary of State.

For the lawmakers just settling in, and the veterans returning, the work was already well underway.

Aides to Obama and senior congressional officials have been at work for weeks crafting an economic stimulus plan that could reach $US1 trillion ($A1.39 trillion) or more.

Tax cuts, federal spending, aid to the states, all designed to inject cash into an economy where consumer spending has plummeted, manufacturing withered and job losses grown.

Obama spent much of Monday in Congress, meeting with leaders in both parties and pledging to consider ideas advanced by Republicans.

They, in turn, said they believed his pledge of bipartisanship.

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