Green light for the president: the nation takes a turn: the midterm elections put Republicans in the driver's seat, on the road toward dramatic change. (National).

WASHINGTON -- With the sweeping election victory that brought both houses of Congress under Republican dominance, President Bush finally gained the power to set the nation's agenda.

The new math in Congress is likely to break a logjam that blocked many of Bush's plans during the months of Democratic control of the Senate. The reduced obstacles will help the President get his way on several major issues:

* Creating a Department of Homeland Security;

* Making some temporary tax cuts permanent;

* Appointing a greater number of more-conservative federal judges, who would serve for life;

* Encouraging oil and gas drilling in Alaska and elsewhere.

It is a power that was denied to Bush for much of his term until now. "The ability the Democrats had to delay action was a major stumbling block for Bush," says Norman Ornstein, a scholar at a Washington think tank, the American Enterprise Institute.

THE BUSH AGENDA

But the Republican victory doesn't give unlimited power to the President. Under the Senate's rules, much legislation must have a 60 percent majority before it is allowed on the Senate floor for a vote. As a result, the President will be forced to compromise with Democrats to get aspects of his "compassionate conservative" agenda passed.

White House aides say the President's first priority will be to pass a bill, stalled before the election, that would create a new Cabinet-level Homeland Security Department, responsible for guarding against domestic terrorist attacks. The Democratic-controlled Senate had fought Bush over his proposal to give himself broad hiring-and-firing authority over its workers.

But aides say Bush will also press hard for other cherished parts of his agenda. The President will soon ask the Congress to extend the massive tax cut passed during his first year in office beyond its current expiration date of 2010.

A LEGACY IN THE COURTS

In addition, Bush plans to use the newly friendly Senate to win approval for a list of conservative judges he has nominated for lifetime posts on the federal courts. The nominations had been stalled by Democratic Senators, largely on ideological grounds. Under the Constitution, the Senate has the sole power to approve presidential appointments of judges.

And with rumors of possible retirements from the Supreme Court in the next two years, Bush might even have the chance to nominate more conservatives to the nation's highest court.

The Bush administration will likely breathe new life into its stalled plans to make use of natural resources. Senate Democrats had stopped Presidential plans for expanded domestic oil drilling, including in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a pristine area of mountains and tundra in northern Alaska. Those drilling plans now have a much stronger chance of moving forward.

The change for President Bush and the Congress could come more quickly than in past elections. Ordinarily, the meeting of Congress between an election and the swearing-in of new members on Jan. 3 is known as a lame-duck session--because the power of many lawmakers is diminished, since they will be out of office in the new year.

But this year, two newly elected Republican Senators from Missouri and Minnesota could take their seats as early as this month, due to special circumstances. This would immediately tilt the Senate into Republican hands. At that point, Senator Tom Daschle, a Democrat from South Dakota, will be demoted from Senate majority leader to minority leader. Senator Trent Lott, a Republican from Mississippi, will become the new majority leader.

WILL HE DELIVER?

As the Republicans take over the Senate for the next two years, they assume a host of powers, including the right to determine what issues come up for votes.

The conclusion of the midterm elections marks the beginning of the 2004 campaign season--and Democrats see a glimmer of good news. Their party picked up control of some key industrial states rich with electoral votes. Control of those states will be significant when Bush himself faces re-election. Governors oversee vast armies of party workers and campaign machinery, such as mailing lists and phone banks. They also dominate state fund-raising for elections.

Meanwhile, in Washington, the President's new power comes with a liability: With Republicans in control of the White House, the Senate, the House, and the Supreme Court (with a 5-4 conservative majority), Bush will have little room to maneuver if he fails to deliver on his efforts.

"Being able to set the agenda," says Ornstein, "doesn't mean you can get it through. This now becomes a challenging time for Bush. Democrats are going to say, `All right, you've got the reins of power, you're on your own.' "

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

* Did the elections in your community and/or state turn out as the experts and the polls predicted?

* Explain why you are pleased or displeased by the Republicans' recapture of the U.S. Senate.

TEACHING OBJECTIVES

To help students understand the meaning of the Nov. 5 elections, specifically how the Republican win will influence President Bush's relations with Congress and how that may affect issues that touch the lives of the American people.

CLASSROOM STRATEGIES

BEFORE READING: Explain that the Republican victory on Nov. 5 is only the fourth time in history that the political party in the White House has picked up congressional seats in midterm elections. Ask why voters usually split power between the White House and Congress.

CRITICAL THINKING/WRITING: Have students identify some of President Bush's policy issues that may find easier sledding as a result of the Republican majority in the Senate. For example, the President favors oil and gas drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and extending a large tax cut passed in his first year in office.

Students may choose all the issues listed in the article, or just a few. Have them list their choices on a piece of paper. Then have them write brief responses to possible changes in policy--strongly reminding them that issues are often more complex than they seem. For example, do they like or dislike the fact that the Republican victory may make it easier to drill for oil and gas in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge? Can one balance the country's need for energy with the need to preserve the wilderness? Do they think it is fair or unfair to promote large tax cuts? Do large tax cuts promote a healthy economy by giving Americans more money to spend? Or do they deny the federal government the money needed to pay for programs like health insurance and road and highway projects?

Note the reference to the proposed Department of Homeland Security and the Democratic-controlled Senate's fight over hiring and firing of its workers. Tell students that President Bush argued that national-security requirements demand that he be able to hire and fire in this department at will, without regard to collective-bargaining agreements. Should these federal workers be denied Civil Service job protections extended to other federal workers? Who's right? Who's wrong?

Upfront QUIZ 2

MULTIPLE CHOICE

DIRECTIONS: Circle the letter next to the correct answer.

1. President Bush's first priority will be to pass a bill setting
   up a department to guard against domestic terrorist
   attacks. This new office will be called the Department of

   a. Anti-terrorism.
   b. Homeland Security.
   c. Security Enforcement.
   d. Federal Security and Safety.

2. At present, the year 2010 is the expiration date for one of
   President Bush's favorite programs. Which program?

   a. the federal Highway Reclamation Act.
   b. the Clean Water Act.
   c. a large federal tax cut.
   d. federal subsidies to family farmers.

3. A Republican majority in the Senate will probably speed
   up President Bush's ability to appoint

   a. more conservative federal judges.
   b. new ambassadors.
   c. four new members to his Cabinet.
   d. conservative assistants to Republican Governors.

4. The Republican majority in the Senate does not give
   President Bush unlimited power because rules require

   a. Senate approval of a President's proposals.
   b. state Governors' input in the passage of federal laws.
   c. a 60 percent majority before a vote on much legislation.
   d. a strict limit on the number of laws passed annually.

5. Normally, a congressional session between the November
   elections and the Jan. 3 swearing-in of new members of
   the Senate and House of Representatives is known as

   a. an intersession conference.
   b. a bull-and-bear session.
   c. a do-nothing session.
   d. a lame-duck session.

6. Why does the article say the Supreme Court, an independent
   branch of government, is Republican controlled?

   a. Its members are former Republican Senators.
   b. Republicans influence the way the Justices vote.
   c. President Bush appointed most of the Justices.
   d. There is a 5-4 conservative majority on the Court.

ANSWER KEY

1. (b) Homeland Security.

2. (c) a large federal tax cut.

3. (a) more conservative federal judges.

4. (c) 60 percent majority support.

5. (d) a lame-duck session.

6. (d) There's a 5-4 conservative majority.