Oregon’s Merkley to be sworn in
Tuesday, January 6, 2009 10:41 AM PST
WASHINGTON (AP) — Oregon Democrat Jeff Merkley says Congress should have an economic stimulus package at the new president’s desk by the middle of next month.
Merkley will be sworn in today as Oregon’s newest senator.
The former Oregon House speaker defeated Republican Gordon Smith in November.
Some lawmakers wanted to get the $800 billion stimulus plan to President-elect Barack Obama by Inauguration Day, which is Jan. 20. But that is considered unlikely.
Merkley says the current American economic crisis is serious, but it is more important to make sure the bill is well-thought out and effective than to approve it quickly.
Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden will accompany Merkley as he is sworn in by Vice President Dick Cheney.