Democrats look ahead to minimum wage increase, bipartisanship

By DAVID ESPO

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- Restored to power, congressional Democrats pledged Wednesday to press for a new course in Iraq and move promptly to raise the minimum wage. "We will not disappoint" the American people, said Rep. Nancy Pelosi, speaker-in-waiting.

At a news conference in the Capitol, Pelosi pledged that Democrats will make the next Congress "the most honest, ethical and open" one in history.

Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada both said they would work with President Bush in a bipartisan manner, and made the same commitment with respect to congressional Republicans.

"If Democrats go in and seek retribution, we lose," agreed Sen.-elect Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, who defeated two-term Sen. Mike DeWine.

Making use of power

At the same time, Democrats made clear they intend to use their power.

Several Democrats suggested that Bush meet with leaders to conduct a high-level review of the war in Iraq, a conflict that is unpopular with the public and that polls said had contributed to the Republicans' electoral defeats.

Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., in line to take back the chairmanship of one powerful committee, told reporters he wants the Federal Communications Commission to hold off on its vote on AT&T Inc.'s proposed acquisition of BellSouth Corp.

Dingell said the acquisition raises a "significant antitrust question," and sent a letter to the FCC asking that it hold off on the vote until after the new Congress convenes in January.

"I think it would be in their interest, I think it would be in the interest of the committee and I think it would be in the interest of the public," he said.

Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., in line to head the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, declined to discuss possible tax increases or changes in Medicare.

He said his top priority was to close the tax gap -- referring to money that taxpayers owe the government but do not pay. "My only fear is that Republicans might call this an increase in taxes," he said.

He also criticized an IRS program that makes use of private tax collectors rather than government employees to seek taxes owed. "I think it is terrible for taxpayers to believe they are going to be hounded by the same kind of debt collectors," he added.

The minimum wage increase is one of a handful of measures Pelosi had promised to bring to the floor of the House in the first 100 hours it is in session under Democratic control next January.

Republican congressional leaders have maneuvered successfully to block passage of a minimum wage increase in recent years, but voters in six states approved ballot measures on Tuesday mandating raises. "When Washington doesn't act, then America does," said Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., who would become chairman of the committee with jurisdiction over the issue if his party wins the Senate.

The current federal minimum wage is $5.15 an hour. Legislation backed by Democrats in the House and Senate would increase it to $7.25 in three steps, although Pelosi has not yet said precisely what bill she intends to bring to a vote.

Pelosi, following up on a campaign promise, said Democrats would seek passage of several bills in the first days of the new session.

In addition to the minimum wage hike, Democrats will push to implement the recommendations of the commission that investigated the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 and a reduction in the interest rate on student loans. Other items include legislation to promote energy independence, allow expanded stem cell research with federal funds and a call for lower drug prices under the Medicare prescription drug program.

Apart from a legislative agenda, Democrats awoke to a leadership election. While Pelosi's selection as speaker is unlikely to be contested, two senior Democrats maneuvered for election as majority leader.

Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland is the second-ranking member of the leadership, and said as the election returns were counted on Tuesday night that he would run for leader. Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., a prominent critic of the war, said he, too, will run.

Murtha is close to Pelosi, while Hoyer and she have clashed in the past. Pelosi sidestepped a question during the day when asked whether she would intervene in the race.

If Democrats were dividing up the spoils of victory, Republicans were sorting out their own future.

Rep. Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., announced he will not run for party leader when the new Congress convenes under Democratic control. That leaves Ohio Rep. John Boehner, the current majority leader, and Indiana Rep. Mike Pence, a prominent conservative, as rivals for the post. Rep. Joe Barton of Texas is another potential contender.

Hastert said he intends to remain in Congress, but other Republicans suggested that may not last long, adding that Bush may want to make the Illinois Republican an ambassador.

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Associated Press Writers John Dunbar and Jim Abrams contributed to this report.