Published: Nov 6, 2002 5:40 p.m. ET

Print icon

Missouri victory gives GOP early Senate majority


WilliamL. Watts

WASHINGTON (CBS.MW) -- The Senate's top Republican said Wednesday he's in no rush to use a lame-duck session to get a jump on top GOP priorities before the 108th Congress convenes in January.

Republicans, courtesy of Missouri Democrat Jean Carnahan's nail-biter of a loss to Republican Jim Talent in Tuesday's special election, will have at least 50 votes when lawmakers return next week for a lame-duck session. That gives them an effective majority courtesy of Vice President Dick Cheney's tie-breaking role.

When Congress reconvenes in January, the GOP will have an outright, 51-vote majority.

Some analysts have speculated that Republicans would use the lame-duck majority to begin immediately pushing a range of measures, including a budget, some permanent tax measures and a stalled energy bill.

But Lott, speaking a day after Republicans knocked off Carnahan and two other Democratic incumbents to move to at least a 51-49 edge in the next Congress, emphasized that he isn't an "advocate of lame-duck sessions." See election story.

"I've never seen one that served the American people well, and I've been through a lot of them," Lott said.

Lott said that when lawmakers return next week they should focus on passing a resolution to continue current spending levels into next year, taking up appropriations bills for fiscal 2003, which began Oct.1.

That would give the Senate time to work on a budget before moving on to the 11 spending bills. A continuing resolution passed before senators went home to campaign expires later this month.

Lott said work on finalizing an energy conference bill could be on the agenda next week, but was doubtful. Any votes on making elements of the $1.3 trillion, 10-year tax cut permanent are unlikely to occur before the new session, he said.

Completion of legislation creating a Homeland Security Department, a key point of contention between Bush and Senate Democrats before the election, could also come up in the lame-duck session, but is likely to slip till next year, Lott said.

In a wrinkle that works to the GOP's advantage, Tuesday's Missouri Senate vote was a special election to determine who would serve the remainder of the term won posthumously in 2000 by Carnahan's husband, Mel.

That means Talent will replace Carnahan as soon as the results are certified, possibly allowing Republicans to retake majority status in the upcoming lame-duck session, rather than in January when the new Congress convenes. Additionally, Dean Barkley, an independent appointed to replace late Minnesota Sen. Paul Wellstone for the remainder of the current session, takes a Senate seat away from Democrats as the 107th Congress concludes.

If Barkley chose to support Republicans on an organizational vote, Lott could take the majority leader title even before the Missouri vote is certified. Barkley hasn't said whether he would caucus with Democrats, Republicans or neither.

Lott said he has talked with Barkley, but hasn't yet asked him to vote with the GOP for organizational purposes in the lame-duck session.

"I thought it was a little premature to say, 'Oh, great, you're the new independent. Why don't you come sit with us?' But, I'm sure I'll get around to it eventually," Lott joked.

We Want to Hear from You

Join the conversation

MarketWatch Partner Center