NFIB

108th Congress Convenes with Final Slate of Legislators
01/06/2003

The 108th Congress will convene Tuesday, Jan. 7 with a full slate of legislators. Saturday, voters in Hawaii filled the final Congressional seat still open when they elected Democrat Ed Case to fill the seat of Rep. Patsy Mink (D-Hawaii), who was elected posthumously.

The final tally in the House is 229 Republicans, 205 Democrats and one independent. The Senate will convene with 51 Republicans, 48 Democrats and one independent.

Despite Republicans' control of the House, Senate and White House, analysts predict the GOP will have to compromise on its agenda somewhat to pass legislation in the Senate, according to the Washington Post. Sixty votes are needed in the Senate for most legislation.

However, Nick Smith, spokesman for incoming Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) was undaunted.

Smith said, "We'll get the work done that needs to be done," the Wall Street Journal reports.