Senate opens lame-duck session with sharply different views of election result

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Monday cast sharply different views of the midterm results as the lame-duck session opened.

McConnell described it as a “change” election, while Reid said voters did not give the GOP a blank check.

“The American voters sent us a message two Tuesdays ago. That message is that they want us to deliver. They want us to work together,” Reid said.

{mosads}“The voters didn’t elect only Republicans. They didn’t elect only Democrats. And they don’t want either party to govern stubbornly, demanding their way or the highway. When the heat of the campaign season cools, our constituents are more interested in us getting things done. They’d rather we work with each other than talk past each other.”

McConnell said voters sent a clear message of frustration.

“I have seen a lot of elections in my life, but I have never seen an election like the one we had earlier this month,” he said. “The 2010 midterm election was a ‘change’ election the likes of which I have never seen, and the change that people want, above all, is right here in Washington. Most Americans are deeply unhappy with their government, more so than at any other time in decades.”

Both Reid and McConnell have made similar statements in recent weeks, each saying the responsibility for compromise lies with the other party.

McConnell did personally congratulate Reid on the Senate floor on his reelection race this month against Republican Sharron Angle, giving Reid a small smile as he did so.

Earlier Monday, during a photo-op with the newly elected Republican senators, McConnell recalled that there was only one new GOP senator after the 2006 election and only two after the 2008 election. Republicans picked up six seats in this year’s election, with another seven freshmen replacing retiring senators.

“Obviously, I’m pretty excited to be sitting here with 13 this year,” he said. “This is going to be a huge improvement in the United States Senate from our point of view, and I believe the American people have chosen outstanding members.”

No votes are scheduled until Wednesday, when Reid plans a procedural vote on a food-safety bill. The Senate is expected to adjourn next week for Thanksgiving, then return the following week. It is unclear how far into December the Senate will work.

Two big fights are looming on the horizon.

The 2001 and 2003 tax cuts signed into law by President George W. Bush expire at the end of the year, and Democrats and Republicans are divided over how to proceed. Liberal Democrats and President Obama want to extend tax cuts only for families making less than $250,000, though the White House has suggested a willingness to compromise since the election. Republicans want all of the tax rates extended.

Another fight looms over a Defense Department authorization measure which contains a repeal of the controversial “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that bans openly gay Americans from military service.

The START arms-control treaty between the U.S. and Russia is expected to surface in December, and an unemployment benefits extension is also on the table, as is an effort to stave off looming cuts in Medicare funding to physicians. The Senate must also approve either a continuing resolution to keep the government funded, or approve a package of appropriations bills. 

Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) also spoke Monday to urge the Senate to take up the Disclose Act to promote greater transparency of spending in political campaigns.