State lawmakers look ahead

Benjamin Grove

Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2002 | 9:51 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- After 20 years with four members of Congress, Nevada now has five lawmakers serving the state on Capitol Hill: three Republicans and two Democrats.

The delegation is in many ways reflective of the nation and Congress in general -- almost evenly split, with an edge to the GOP.

All eyes will be on lawmakers in the new Congress when it begins work in January, and the question is how will everyone get along?

Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., said Congress will be far more productive with Republicans controlling the agenda in Washington through the White House, House, and now, the Senate.

The Senate next year will finally approve a prescription drug benefit for seniors, a homeland security bill, a comprehensive energy bill, and a slate of GOP-nominated judges awaiting Senate confirmation, Ensign said.

"It certainly gives us a much better chance of getting things done and takes us out of the position we always seem to find ourselves in when the (Republican) House passes something and the Senate doesn't," Ensign said.

A dejected Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Americans are just more concerned about Sept. 11 than the economy and he expects national security and the proposed war on Iraq to dominate Congress' agenda next year.

"It appears that that's the message voters are sending," Reid said.

When asked if Democrats should have been more aggressive in attacking Bush on economic policies or even homeland security, Reid said, "I couldn't have been more aggressive."

While the Senate shift to Republicans diminishes the power of Reid, the new Congress could mean an increase in the power of Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev.

Gibbons said today that he is one of four contenders for three open seats on the Appropriations Committee, a key panel because it doles out federal money for projects. Members have the advantage of a perch that helps them funnel money to their state.

Gibbons likely will know if he gets the plum assignment in January, he said.

"To have Sen. Reid on the Appropriations Committee in the Senate and me on Appropriations in the House would make for a seamless transition in terms of funding for the state of Nevada," Gibbons said.

Gibbons won his fourth term Tuesday and said GOP wins nationwide were a reflection of confidence in President Bush.

"Republicans have gained the confidence of the American voter," Gibbons said.

Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., won her third term, "bucking a Republican trend," she said. She agreed President Bush had much to do with GOP victories Tuesday because people want to rally around their president in times of uncertainty and possibly, war.

The House and Senate will get along a lot better now as the House continues to have fractious battles that often go the Republicans' way, Berkley said.

"I suspect that a lot of the legislation that has passed the House and been hung up in the Senate will have a much easier time of it," Berkley said.

The race Tuesday left Democrats in Nevada and nationwide with a lot of post-election analysis to do, observers said. "The Democrats need to step back and say, 'Why is this race even close? Why aren't we talking about huge Democratic gains?' " University of Nevada, Reno, political science professor Eric Herzik said. "They've got to point the finger at least somewhat at themselves."