New Congress Convenes With Pomp, Promises

WASHINGTON - In a show of strength at the dawn of a new Congress, majority Republicans passed new ethics standards opposed by House Democrats on Tuesday and threatened to change Senate rules if necessary to confirm President Bush (news - web sites)'s court appointees.

"In this Congress, big plans will stir men's blood," pledged Rep. Dennis Hastert of Illinois, re-elected speaker. He vowed to spend the next two years pursuing key elements of Bush's ambitious second-term agenda.
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House Democrats criticized the GOP ethics rules in the first partisan fight of the Congress, but Republicans prevailed on a vote of 220-195.

Democratic prospects in the dispute diminished markedly following a series of concessions blessed by Hastert and Majority Leader Tom DeLay on Monday night.

"The proposed changes are destructive and unethical," evidence of Republican arrogance and pettiness, charged Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California.

Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., looking across the House floor to the Republicans, said, "The lesson we have today is you have the power and you break the rules and you can change them."
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DeLay predicted that the Democratic criticism would be the first of "countless personal attacks against the integrity of the majority and ultimately against the House."

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20050105/ap_on_go_co/new_congress

Could Hastert BE a bigger dweeb? And does anyone see DeLay's "personal attack" ANYWHERE?

it's gonna be a bumpy ride. I am hoping the Dems stand firm against this egotistical bunch of bullies.

I wouldn't count on that. During the past 4 years of the Bush regime the Democrats defended him at every turn. Just watch during the State of the Union Speech as the Democrats will stand and applaud at every sentence uttered by Bush. Even before he finished his sentences, they will all stand up, smile, cheer, and give a very hearty endorsement of his every proposal. This is what they have been doing all along and there is no sign that they will ever stop doing so.


For years now the Dems have run half-assed campaigns, refused to defend Clinton when he was repeatedly attacked by the reich wing media and Republicans, and have given Bush every bit of legislation that he has wanted.

I hate to say it, but all we have today is a one party system. I guarantee that the Democrats will NOT stand up to these crooked bullies.

I have to guess not. They stand up there consistently at every opportunity. Some things are bargained away for the particular interests of their districts but they have been far more unified and courageous than you suggest.

Manners at a state event are not indicators. Gingrich grinned and applauded Clinton.

McDermott called Bush a liar from Iraq! Meeks was thrown out and had remarks stricken for making accusations against Bush. A TX rep was censured for making the very charge against DeLay for which he was admoninished. The Tuesday nights Iraq war sessions are magnificent.

They have no power and the repubs have made unprecedented changes to weaken the minority's position. Whatever the party ills, blame on House members overall is misplaced.

with pimps and premises...

whalerider55

nt

Naturally, like the good Troskyites all these Busheviks are at heart, they have announced that attacks on The Party are attacks on the nation.

My God, to be ruled by these monsters! What will they do when they get UNCHECKED power? What will the CHILDREN and GRANDCHILDREN of these monsters do to us, as they are rehearsing their cocaine-drenched Caligula at prep schools across the Empire?

One more terrorist attack, LIHOP #2: An Imperial Family Production, will be all that is required.