Democrats take control as Congress returns

Taking the oath of office were 10 new senators — eight of them Democrats, Republican Bob Corker of Tennessee and independent Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Joe Lieberman returned to the Senate for a fourth term after losing a raucous Democratic primary in Connecticut but winning in November running as an Independent.

Vice President Dick Cheney swore in the new and returning senators, beginning with a group including Senate President Pro Tem, Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va. — third in the line of presidential succession — elected for a record ninth term. In the gallery overhead, former President Clinton and daughter Chelsea applauded and waved to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, who was sworn in for a second term.

The House has 55 new members, all but 13 of them Democrats. Three of them, Baron Hill of Indiana and Texans Nick Lampson and Ciro Rodriguez, had previously served.

As the House gathered, dozens of lawmakers' children and grandchildren joined them on the floor, including Pelosi's six grandchildren.

The day capped the rise of several Democratic veterans to powerful committee posts — including Charles Rangel of New York as chairman of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee and David Obey on the powerful Appropriations panel — after 12 dispiriting years in the minority.

House Republicans, meanwhile, adjusted to their unaccustomed roles out of power, grousing about being shut out of any chance to affect the early agenda.

White House adjustments
The convening of the Democratic-led Congress also opened a new chapter in the presidency of Bush, who faces divided government as he cements his legacy in his final two years in the White House. Bush had a light public schedule Thursday, intended at least in part to let the new Congress have its day.

NBC VIDEO McCain on Congress Jan. 4: Sen. John McCain talks with TODAY anchor Matt Lauer about the new Congress, whether or not the GOP and Democrats can work together and the war in Iraq. Today show

House Democrats planned quick action on legislative priorities that included boosting both the minimum wage and stem cell research. Democrats also said they would pressure President Bush to bring the troops home from Iraq.

The Democratic-led Congress also opened a new chapter in the presidency of Bush, who faces divided government as he cements his legacy in his final two years in the White House.

Pelosi was sworn in as speaker in the afternoon by Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., the longest serving member of the House.

Dingell administered the same oath to former Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., 12 years ago when Republicans seized the House after 40 years of Democratic control — and he's set to get back his gavel as the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

House Democrats promised speedy passage of the first six bills on their agenda and a series of stiffer ethics rules.

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