|
|
 |
New speaker calls for end to partisan stalemate
January 6, 1999 WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, January 5) -- With bipartisan calls to "bury the hatchet" and end the "pool of bitterness" between Republicans and Democrats, the 106th Congress opened its first session Wednesday. While the Senate remains occupied with the impeachment of President Bill Clinton, the House of Representatives began by electing a new Speaker of the House, Rep. Dennis Hastert of Illinois. "In the turbulent days behind us, debate on the merits often gave way to personal attacks. Some here have felt slighted, insulted or ignored. That is wrong, and that will change," said Hastert, a former high school teacher and wrestling coach.
After defeating minority leader Dick Gephardt (D-Missouri), 220-205, for the Speaker's chair, the low-key Hastert broke with tradition, handed the gavel back to Gephardt and took to the well of the House to deliver his opening remarks. "You can count on me to be a workhorse," Hastert told the House, promising to take advantage of all the talented members of the House. "There is no limit to what can be accomplished if you don't mind who gets the credit. "To my Democratic colleges I will say, I will meet you halfway, maybe more so on occasion. But cooperation is a two-way street," Hastert said. "I think we should agree that stalemate is not an option; solutions are." With a less combative attitude than his predecessor, Rep. New Gingrich of Georgia, the 57-year-old Hastert signaled his intention to get down to work on substantive issues. He invited Clinton back to present his plan to reform Social Security and pledged that "it will be taken seriously." Hastert also promised to focus on Medicare reform, more local control of education, lower taxes and a stronger national defense. After the Republican majority in the House officially elected Hastert in an old-fashion roll call Wednesday, Gephardt presented the new speaker with the gavel, saying, "Let's bury the hatchet (and) put to rest finally the poisonous politics that has infected this place." The bitter partisan fighting in the House was inflamed during the waning months of 1998 as the House considered the impeachment of the president. Hastert's surprise ascension came after Gingrich and onetime Speaker-elect Bob Livingston of Louisiana both announced their resignations from Congress. Gingrich's decision was spurred by the Republican losses during the 1998 midterm election. Livingston resigned days after admitting to having strayed from his marriage. After completing its work on Wednesday, the House will go into recess until after the president's State of the Union address, scheduled for January 19. Vice President Al Gore presided over the opening of the Senate, swearing in the 34 senators elected or re-elected in November. Sen. Trent Lott (R-Mississippi) returns to lead the Senate with the same 10-vote margin the GOP enjoyed going into the November elections. But unlike their counterparts in the House, Lott and his fellow senators are returning to the onerous task of trying the president on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice. Speaking from the Senate floor, Lott said he hoped to finalize the trial procedures within the next 24 hours, giving "all parties a fair chance to make a case, and get to a conclusion that's an equitable one." (full story) The Associated Press contributed to this report.MORE STORIES:Wednesday January 6, 1999
• Senate urged to call Lewinsky, Currie, Jordan as witnesses • An impeachment trial primer: what you need to know • New Hampshire poll shows Dole, Bush leading GOP pack • New speaker calls for end to partisan stalemate • Getting tickets to watch impeachment trial • U.S. budget surplus to be larger than expected • What's ahead for the 106th Congress? • Transcript: Elizabeth Dole on 'Late Edition' • Two big-name writers focus on Hillary Clinton • Text of Speaker Hastert's speech • Congress convenes, Hastert elected House speaker • Ex-Sen. Moseley-Braun to advise on school renovation • Lawmakers debate boosting Medicare's eligibility age | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
