Congress was in recess for the
month of October with members back in their home states and
districts campaigning. Up for grabs in the midterm elections are
control of the House and Senate. Many political analysts see the
elections as a referendum on President Bush and the Iraq War.
House Republicans and Democrats alike have been plagued by
scandal with Congressmen Tom DeLay (R-TX), Mark Foley (R-FL),
and Bob Ney (R-OH) resigning in the past year.
ELECTION DAY – TUESDAY
NOVEMBER 7, 2006
All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and a third of the
Senate are on the ballot this Tuesday as well as gubernatorial
races and state legislative races in a majority of states
including New York, California, Texas and Florida.
HOUSE – WHAT’S AT STAKE
If they hold onto the majority Republicans have not indicated if
they would replace Dennis Hastert (R-IL) as Speaker of the House
in light of the Foley intern scandal. If the Democrats take
control of the House of Representatives they are expected to
elect Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) Speaker of the House. Pelosi would be
the first woman Speaker and second-in-line for the presidency
after Vice President Cheney.
SENATE – WHAT’S
AT STAKE
If the Republicans hold on to the Senate Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
will likely replace Bill Frist (R-TN) as Majority Leader. Frist
is retiring from the Senate at the end of his term in January
2007. If the Democrats take control of the Senate they are
expected to elect Harry Reid (D-NV) Majority Leader.
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M.E.B.A. LEGISLATIVE PAGE
