Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., with his wife Mary, children Jonathan and Brynne, and Vice President Dick Cheney during a mock swearing-in ceremony on Capitol Hill on Tuesday. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Democrats Tighten Grip as 111th Congress Assembles
Fortified by wider House and Senate majorities and the prospect of working in tandem with a new president who shares their legislative goals, congressional Democrats assembled Tuesday to begin the 111th Congress.
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- Craig Crawford: Obama's CIA Choice a Smart Move
- David Corn: How Ugly Could a Panetta Confirmation Battle Get?
- In Transition: Lynn in Line to Be No. 2 at Pentagon, Says Murtha
- SpyTalk: CIA Man: Spies' Reaction to Panetta 'Overwhelmingly Negative'
- Politics (Un)Seriously: Obama Commemorative Plates For White People
- Poll Tracker: Ask the Nation? Pick Kennedy. Ask New Yorkers? Not So Sure.
- Web Picks: Hijacking Obama and Britney, Correcting Caroline, Politics of Race
Find CQ Politics profiles on members of Congress, including bios, election history, district or state demographics, and more.
Complete Election '08 Coverage 
Coleman Files Suit to Contest Minn. Senate Election Results
"We are filing this contest to be absolutely sure that every valid vote is counted," said Minnesota Republican Norm Coleman on Tuesday in St. Paul, refusing to concede to Democrat Al Franken in their hotly contested Senate race.
• CQ Transcript: Sen. Norm Coleman Holds News Conference in Minnesota Senate Seat
• Jeb Bush Opts Out of 2010 Florida Senate Race
• Burris Draws Media Hordes, But Cool Official Response
• Selection Seldom Leads to Election in the Senate
• Poll Tracker: Most Americans Say Illinois Should Hold Special Election for Senator
• Poll Tracker: Ask the Nation? Pick Kennedy. Ask New Yorkers? Not So Sure.
• Jeb Bush Opts Out of 2010 Florida Senate Race
• Burris Draws Media Hordes, But Cool Official Response
• Selection Seldom Leads to Election in the Senate
• Poll Tracker: Most Americans Say Illinois Should Hold Special Election for Senator
• Poll Tracker: Ask the Nation? Pick Kennedy. Ask New Yorkers? Not So Sure.
Gates Estimates Another $69.7 Billion for Wars
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has sent a $69.7 billion war cost "estimate" to congressional leaders and said that the outgoing administration will not formally request more war funding before President-elect Barack Obama takes office.
Other Top CQ Stories
- Transition Team Defends CIA Choice, Reaches Out to Senate Chairwoman
- Supporters Surface as Burris Campaign for Senate Seating Continues
- Udalls Claim Seniority Among Senate Frosh
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- Looking for CQ Web Picks? Our Daily Round-Up of Articles Has Moved to the Blog Network |
- Now playing in Politics (Un)Seriously: You Can Save a Life (Style) | | Would This Work on "Meet the Press?" | The Search Is on for the Presidential Puppy
- The Election '08 Page: Our Archive of All Election Returns and Profiles of New members of Congress |
- CQ Politics' Early Line on 2010 Senate Races: Republicans Have More Level Playing Field in 2010 | | Outlook for the Republicans | Outlook for the Democrats | CQ Politics' Senate Election Map |
- New "In Transition" Blog: Our Running Account of Developments in the Presidential Transition |
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