November 4, 1992: Control of Senate Unknown After Election, Duke Asks to Join GOP.
After the results of yesterday’s Senate elections, the Democrats have 50 seats, the Republicans have 49, and David Duke holds the Independent seat. David Duke has requested that the Republican Party include him in their caucus, so that they will have 50 seats and therefore a majority. President Elect Bob Dole has stated that he would rather have a Senate majority than Duke in the Republican caucus. Other senators are uncertain.
November 5, 1992: Senator Howell Heflin Joins the GOP, Giving Them Senate Majority.
In a move that was a surprising and easy solution to the Senator Duke drama, Democratic Senator Howell Heflin of Alabama has decided to switch parties to the GOP. The very conservative Democrat Heflin stated that his ideology fits in more with the Republicans, and that the election showed that the majority of Americans wanted a Republican Congress. This changes the Senate from 50 Democrats, 49 Republicans, and 1 Independent, to 50 Republicans, 49 Democrats, and 1 Independent. The Republicans now control the Presidency and the Congress.
November 15, 1992: President Elect Bob Dole Will Ask Congress to Abolish Several Departments.
In one of his first proposals, President Elect Bob Dole will ask Congress to introduce bills which would abolish the departments of Education, Housing and Urban Development, Commerce and Energy. "Hopefully, we're going to get rid of the Department of Education," he said to cheers. "I didn't vote for it in the first place." He also stated that when he announces his Cabinet next week, he will only announce for the departments which will stay. If the Congress does not abolish a department, he will name the Secretary for it immediately.
I love the political drama here, and the solution to it.
