New Congress convenes under Democratic control

Rep. David Dreier, a California Republican, said, "The American people want us to deal with these problems."

The start of the new Congress was mostly taken up with ceremonial activities, including the swearing-in of newly elected House and Senate members.

Hallways were jammed with lawmakers' spouses and other relatives. One spouse, former President Bill Clinton, husband of New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, strolled through the Senate press gallery just before noon. "I came to apply for a job," he joked.

House Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio called Pelosi's rise to speaker "historic" and "an occasion I think the Founding Fathers would view approvingly."

Boehner noted Republican achievements during 12 years of House rule. But he indicated Republicans had lost sight of their mission. "The value of a majority lies not in the chance to wield great power, but in the chance to use limited power to do great things."

Reid said he and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, would try to craft a bipartisan bill to raise the minimum wage for the first time in a decade.

A $2.10-per-hour increase over two years will first be passed by the House. Bush wants small-business tax breaks added in before he signs such legislation into law.

Other major issues Democrats want to tackle this year include balancing the budget within five years, a goal Bush embraced on Wednesday.

(Additional reporting by Andy Sullivan)