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US Congress opens amid wrangling US Congress opens amid wrangling
(about 2 hours later)
The new US Congress is preparing to convene, with Democrats in charge of both chambers and about to welcome one of their own into the White House.The new US Congress is preparing to convene, with Democrats in charge of both chambers and about to welcome one of their own into the White House.
But Democratic celebrations are likely to be muted amid the scale of the economic challenges facing the US.But Democratic celebrations are likely to be muted amid the scale of the economic challenges facing the US.
President-elect Barack Obama, who takes office on 20 January, is pressing Congress to pass a stimulus package said to be worth $800bn (£550bn).President-elect Barack Obama, who takes office on 20 January, is pressing Congress to pass a stimulus package said to be worth $800bn (£550bn).
The session also begins with unresolved wrangling over two Senate seats.The session also begins with unresolved wrangling over two Senate seats.
Roland Burris has been appointed by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich to replace Mr Obama in the Senate. But the governor has been engulfed in scandal and is facing calls for his impeachment.Roland Burris has been appointed by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich to replace Mr Obama in the Senate. But the governor has been engulfed in scandal and is facing calls for his impeachment.
Senate Democrats have said they will block Mr Burris from taking up his seat.Senate Democrats have said they will block Mr Burris from taking up his seat.
But Mr Burris told CBS TV on Tuesday morning that there was no substance arguments that his appointment was invalid or inappropriate.Mr Burris says he is determined to take up his seatBut Mr Burris told CBS TV on Tuesday morning that there was no substance arguments that his appointment was invalid or inappropriate.Mr Burris says he is determined to take up his seat
"I'm certainly presenting myself as the legally-appointed senator from the state of Illinois. It is my hope and prayer that they recognise that the appointment is legal," Mr Burris said."I'm certainly presenting myself as the legally-appointed senator from the state of Illinois. It is my hope and prayer that they recognise that the appointment is legal," Mr Burris said.
The other seat at issue is for Minnesota, which has still not completely resolved the Senate election it held on 4 November.The other seat at issue is for Minnesota, which has still not completely resolved the Senate election it held on 4 November.
On Monday officials certified that Democrat Al Franken won a run-off election by 225 votes, but his Republican opponent Norm Coleman has seven days to challenge the result in the courts. On Monday officials certified that after a recount Democrat Al Franken had won by 225 votes, but his Republican opponent Norm Coleman has seven days to challenge the result in the courts.
No-one will be declared a winner until Mr Coleman's legal fight is complete.No-one will be declared a winner until Mr Coleman's legal fight is complete.
After November's congressional elections, the Democrats have 56 seats in the Senate, not counting Minnesota, plus two independents who vote with them.After November's congressional elections, the Democrats have 56 seats in the Senate, not counting Minnesota, plus two independents who vote with them.
The Republicans have 41 seats.The Republicans have 41 seats.
Sixty votes are needed to override procedural moves to block legislation, known as a filibuster.Sixty votes are needed to override procedural moves to block legislation, known as a filibuster.
In the House of Representatives, the Democrats have 255 members, expanding their control by 28 seats, while the Republicans have 175.In the House of Representatives, the Democrats have 255 members, expanding their control by 28 seats, while the Republicans have 175.
'Bold action''Bold action'
Tuesday's session, the opening of the two-year session of the 111th Congress, will see new members sworn in. Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Representative for California, will be elected for a second term as speaker of the House.Tuesday's session, the opening of the two-year session of the 111th Congress, will see new members sworn in. Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Representative for California, will be elected for a second term as speaker of the House.
Congress often goes into recess until a new president takes office or after the State of the Union policy address at the end of January.Congress often goes into recess until a new president takes office or after the State of the Union policy address at the end of January.
But, with economic problems mounting, the Democrats have said they will move quickly to try to pass a fiscal rescue package.But, with economic problems mounting, the Democrats have said they will move quickly to try to pass a fiscal rescue package.
They had hoped to have it ready for Mr Obama to sign into law when he takes office but now admit it will not be ready until mid-February.They had hoped to have it ready for Mr Obama to sign into law when he takes office but now admit it will not be ready until mid-February.
Mr Obama met congressional leaders on Monday, calling for quick and bold action.Mr Obama met congressional leaders on Monday, calling for quick and bold action.
"The economy is very sick," he said. "We have to act and act now to break the momentum of this recession.""The economy is very sick," he said. "We have to act and act now to break the momentum of this recession."
US media reports say the president-elect is planning a package of some $800bn, including $300bn in tax cuts.US media reports say the president-elect is planning a package of some $800bn, including $300bn in tax cuts.