After Democrats' takeover of the Senate and House, lawmakers in line to chair Capitol Hill committees already are outlining priorities for the new Congress. On environmental and labor issues, Democrats' agendas will be radically different from the GOP's. But observers don't expect major changes on public works funding.
In the Senate, the most dramatic shift will be on Environment and Public Works, where liberal Barbara Boxer (Calif.) on Nov. 14 was named chair, succeeding conservative James Inhofe (Okla.). Boxer "has been one of the staunchest environmental advocates in the Senate, which is a strong contrast with Senator Inhofe," says Liz Birnbaum, American Rivers' vice president for government affairs.