Shift in congressional power

By Susan Milligan

WASHINGTON -- Democrats swelled their ranks in Congress in several closely-watched races tonight, solidifying the party's power on the Hill and giving lawmakers new hope for passing legislation long stalled by Republicans in the narrowly-divided House and Senate.

In a heavy blow to the GOP, Democrats picked up several high-profile Senate seats, ousting veteran GOP lawmaker John Sununu in New Hampshire and replacing him with former Governor Jeanne Shaheen. In Virginia, Mark Warner easily defeated James Gilmore, his GOP opponent and, like Warner, a former governor of the state.

In North Carolina, Democrat Kay Hagan defeated Elizabeth Dole, whose 11th-hour TV ads attempting to taint Kagen as someone who did not believe in God failed to earn Dole a second term in office. And in New Mexico, Democrat Tom Udall took the Senate seat vacated by retiring GOP Senator Pete Domenici.

Early results showed Democrats expanded their majority in the House of Representatives.

A win by Democrat Barack Obama -- which Democrats anxiously hoped for last night as results came in -- would give Democrats a stronghold on Washington not seen since the years of President Johnson.

While it was still unclear tonight if Democrats would reach the 60-vote Senate threshold that would allow the party, if united, to break Republican filibusters, their increased numbers make Democrats well-positioned to push through a left-leaning agenda for the economy, energy and government regulation and oversight.

``You're really talking about a new deal,'' said Representative Barney Frank, Democrat of Newton, laying out a plan for what he hopes will be a new era of government restraint of the banking and financial services industry. ``There's going to be significant regulation, comparable to what FDR did, saving capitalism from its own excesses'' in light of the Wall Street meltdown and resulting poor economy, said Frank, the powerful chairman of the House Financial Services Committee.

Senate Democratic aides said the national economy would be the first item on the agenda, with lawmakers looking for ways to address the low growth, high unemployment and economic strain on American workers. In the longer term, Democrats are hopeful they can complete a health care plan and immigration reform.

``It's a new day in Washington. A new political era is coming,'' said Simon Rosenberg, president of the Democratic interest group NDN. ``I don't think we're going to see the restoration of an old political age, but the ushering in of a new age,'' he said. ``They're going to rewrite the rules.''

The wins -- which ranged from New England to the Southwest -- validated the ``50-state strategy'' Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean undertook after the last election to expand his party's opportunities in congressional and presidential elections. The victories also showed a weakening in two regions where the Republicans have long been strong: the South and the Mountain West.

With bigger majorities, congressional Democrats said they can pass a slew of legislation that was blocked by the Bush administration or which failed to pass by small margins in the House or Senate.

The expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which provides health care aid to low-income families with children, was vetoed by President Bush, but Democrats believe they can easily extend the program in the next Congress. Stem cell research, another measure stopped by Bush, will be brought back on the legislative table next year, congressional aides and members of Congress said.

Members of Massachusetts' congressional delegation -- all of whom easily won re-election last night -- said they were eager to put forth legislation on taxes, the environment and human rights that stalled during the Bush years.

Representative Ed Markey, a Malden Democrat and a leading House voice on global warming, said he saw an ``historic opportunity to pass a global warming solutions bill and create a green jobs coalition."

"That is something I have been waiting for for a very long time,'' added Markey, who was elected to his 17th term last night. ``Now the stuff that we passed through the House [before] will most likely get through the Senate.''

Representative Richard E. Neal, Democrat of Springfield, said he hoped to win approval of a measure to close a loophole that allows domestic businesses to avoid US taxes by locating their official headquarters in Bermuda or another offshore locale. Frank's office said he would also push legislation to expand and protect rental housing, and the congressman said he anticipated legislation extending rights to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons.

``We're going to have a governing majority. We should undertake some very popular measures easily,'' Neal said.

Democrats and Republicans alike warned that strong majorities in both chambers -- if accompanied by an Obama victory -- would put heavy pressure on the Democrats to deliver at a time when the country is suffering from an ailing economy, fighting wars on two fronts, and seeking to repair soured relationships with foreign nations.

``Finger-pointing, excuses -- none of that's going to work,'' said Peter Fenn, a Democratic strategists. ``Voters are going to say, `You've got it. We gave it to you. Now move.' ''

Late tonight, Democrats were still hoping to pick up enough Senate seats to get to a supermajority of 60 votes, the number needed to stop a filibuster. However, even a 60-vote count would not guarantee that one or more conservative Democrats would break with leadership on some filibuster votes.

Further, the status of Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman is unclear.

Lieberman, an Independent, caucuses with the Democrats, giving them the razor-thin 51-49 majority they now have to ensure Democratic control of the chamber. But Lieberman has angered Democrats for his endorsement and active campaigning for GOP candidate John McCain.

Now that Lieberman's vote is no longer needed to assure a Democratic Senate majority, it is not certain what his status with the caucus will be in the next Congress.