GOP’s Control of Congress Comes to an End

The Washington Post reported on the Republican’s final hours of congressional control, which came to an end on Saturday. Republicans adjourned the 109^th Congress at 5 in the morning, ending over a decade of nearly uninterrupted congressional control. House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) attempted to remain positive during his farewell address telling his fellow Republicans, “Together, we reformed welfare. We cut taxes, and small businesses grew all over the nation. We promised to protect this nation from further attack, and by the grace of God and with the leadership of President Bush, we have been successful.” Despite Hastert’s upbeat attempt at optimism, it is likely that Republicans were dwelling on the recent scandals that have shaken their party’s image and the crushing defeat they were dealt on November 7^th.