Media

"The first female speaker of the House is at the apex of her power, with a newly expanded 257-178 Democratic majority, a seemingly firm grip on her caucus and a broad national consensus for bold -- even unprecedented -- congressional action."

From the Appropriations Committee:

House and Senate Appropriations Committees Announce Additional Reforms in Committee Earmark Policy

Build on Unprecedented Transparency Instituted in the 110th Congress

WASHINGTON -- Today, Rep. Dave Obey (D-WI), Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, and Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI), incoming Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced three significant changes to further increase transparency and reduce funding levels for earmarks, building on reforms brought about in the last Congress.

Previously implemented reforms:

Speaker Pelosi announced today that the House Democratic Steering Committee has nominated appointments to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Ways and Means Committee, Financial Services Committee, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Armed Services Committee, Agriculture Committee, Education and Labor Committee, Foreign Affairs Committee, Homeland Security Committee, and Natural Resources Committee saying, "with the talent and intellect of this distinguished group of Members, the 111th Congress will take America in a New Direction that restores our economic security, creates jobs, and invests in America's future. The full Democratic Caucus must still approve the assignments and is expected to do so soon.

The Steering Committee approved the following new Committee members:

Agriculture

Chairman Waxman, Sen. Claire McCaskill, and Rep. Ed Towns released a report today finding that the Bush Administration failed to implement over 13,000 Inspectors General recommendations since 2001. If these recommendations had been implemented, Federal agencies could have saved taxpayers over $25 billion:

Examples from the report:

The 111th Congress is ready to hit the ground running to help President Obama pass his American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan to create and save 3 million jobs over two years, and reinvest in our future by rebuilding our infrastructure from bridges to broadband, making our health care system more efficient and cost-effective, modernizing our schools for 21st century learning, and investing in a cleaner and more efficient energy future.

Experts from across the political spectrum agree on the urgent need for a robust package:

"When the 111th Congress convenes Tuesday, Representative Nancy Pelosi will return to her post as House speaker but in an entirely new role."