U.S. Congress faces historic challenges

U.S. Congress faces historic challenges

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats will pack greater clout when the new Congress convenes on Tuesday but they face enormous expectations from voters as they grapple with two wars, a financial crisis and record budget deficits.

Lawmakers begin work 14 days before Barack Obama is sworn in as president. When he takes the oath on January 20, Democrats will control the White House and Congress for the first time in 14 years.

Having rolled to victory in the November election with a promise of change after eight turbulent years under Republican President George W. Bush, Democrats need to produce results.

Their top priority will be approval of a mix of middle-class tax cuts and emergency spending they hope will prime an economy that has been shrinking for more than a year.

This package could end up costing around $775 billion (533.7 billion pounds)...

...e da dove usciranno mai 775 miliardi di dollari...