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By Kent Larsen
LDS Democrats Gain Power In Closely Split Congress
WASHINGTON, DC -- The nearly evenly split US Congress has increased
the influence of Democratic LDS Church members serving in both
houses, especially in the US Senate, where Nevada Senator Harry Reid
will continue to serve as the second most powerful Democrat in the
body.
The Senate is split almost evenly, and may end up with a 50-50 split,
if both Washington State's Republican Senator Slade Gorton loses his
still undecided reelection attempt, and George W. Bush wins the
presidency. While Republicans would still remain in control of the
Senate, it would only be with the vote of the vice president, Dick
Cheney, in a Bush administration. In a Gore administration, Vice
President Joseph Lieberman would have to give up his Senate seat,
allowing Connecticut's Republican governor to choose a presumably
Republican replacement, which would also give Republicans control of
the Senate.
But regardless of the outcome, Senator Reid will remain one of the
most powerful members of the Senate, and, along with Senate Minority
Leader Tom Daschle, he is telling fellow Senators that Democrats
expect the nearly even split to be recognized. They say that the
makeup of Senate committees should reflect the make up of the Senate
-- 50-50 Republican to Democrat. And Reid says that the Democrats
will use their newly-earned muscle to make it happen. "It's fairly
simple," says Reid. "It takes a resolution to form committees in the
Congress. And, of course, it goes without saying that that is
something that doesn't happen with 51 votes. You have to have 60
votes."
Meanwhile, in the US House of Representatives newly elected
congressman Jim Matheseon of Utah, also mormon, has already earned a
spot among the leadership of the Democratic freshman class. Matheson
will serve as the liason to the Republic freshman class in the House.
Source:
Democrats want equal role if Senate splits 50-50
Miami Herald (New York Times) 15Nov00 T2
By Lizette Alvarez: New York Times Service
and
107th Democratic Freshman Class Elects Leadership
USNewswire 15Nov00 T2
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