Democrats set to take control of US Congress

Washington, Jan 4: Democrats take control of the US Congress from President George W Bush's Republicans today, seeking a phased withdrawal of US troops from Iraq and help for America's needy.

While both sides promised to try to work together, major battles seemed certain -- such as on Democratic efforts to build pressure to change Bush's war strategy, overturn his restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research and reduce the growing gap between America's rich and poor.

In a history-making moment, Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, was set to be elected the first woman to head the 218-year-old House of Representatives as its speaker.

Pelosi is determined to clean up Congress, which has been rocked the past two years by influence-peddling scandals. One of the first House votes will be to impose new restrictions on the relationship between lawmakers and lobbyists.

''No more taking gifts from lobbyists,'' said Rep. Marty Meehan, a Massachusetts Democrat who helped craft the ethics package. ''No more lobbyists planning golf trips.'' Bush tried to set a positive tone yesterday for dealing with the new 110th Congress, set to convene at noon EST. He called for spending cuts, a balanced budget and a consensus on Iraq.

''It's time to set aside politics and focus on the future,'' said Bush, who has two years remaining on his term.

Democrats were cautious.

''We welcome the president's newfound commitment to a balanced budget, but his comments make us wary,'' said incoming House Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt of South Carolina.

''They suggest that his budget will still embody the policies that led to the largest deficits in history.'' ''We hope that when the president says compromise, it means more than 'Do it my way,' which is what he's meant in the past,'' said New York Democratic Sen Charles Schumer.

Democrats won control of the House and Senate in the November 7 elections, largely because of public discontent with the Iraq war and what critics called the ''do-nothing'' Republican Congress.

With polls showing Americans believed the country was headed in ''the wrong direction,'' Democrats campaigned on an agenda, ''A New Direction for America.'' It includes: raising the federal minimum wage for the first time in a decade; cutting interest rates on federal student loans; ending some tax breaks for big oil companies and bolstering homeland security.

Republicans complained Democrats were breaking a promise to give them a voice in the legislative process by taking these measures directly to the floor for a vote without a hearing or consideration of possible amendments.

Incoming House Democratic leader Steny Hoyer explained his party campaigned on these measures, all of which have been subjected to plenty of debate over the years.

''We told everybody, 'If you elect us this is what we are going to do immediately.' Not in 100 days. We said 100 hours,'' Hoyer, of Maryland, told reporters.

REUTERS

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