11-23-2002

CONGRESS: The 107th Congress Heads for the Exits

The House and Senate broke for the year this week and raced for the exits
after clearing a handful of key priorities. Final adjournment was possible
after the Senate on November 19  cleared bills to create a Homeland
Security Department, establish a federal backstop for terrorism-related
insurance claims, confirm a controversial conservative judge, and extend
funding for the federal government until early January. The Senate-passed
legislation was identical to measures the House approved last week before
House leaders called it quits for the year. The Senate also approved
dozens of minor bills in a last-minute flurry of activity, including more
than 100 bills endorsed by the Energy and Natural Resources Committee
alone. The sine die adjournment draws to a close a tumultuous 107th
Congress. In the past two years, members have witnessed control of the
Senate flip from the Republicans to the Democrats and back again; massive
terrorist attacks on Washington and New York City; the anthrax scare on
Capitol Hill; three of the largest corporate bankruptcies in history; the
decision by longtime House Minority Leader Richard A. Gephardt, D-Mo., to
step aside as leader; and the retirement of 99-year-old Sen. Strom
Thurmond, R-S.C. When Congress reconvenes in early January, Republicans
will hold majorities in the House and Senate, with a Republican president
sitting in the White House.


CongressDaily's Final Word


"I'm not mature enough yet."


-Former and future Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., recounting his response
to a cloakroom clerk who asked if a vote on homeland security should be
held open for him. Lautenberg, age 78, does not begin his new term until
January.


Brody Mullins/CongressDaily

National Journal