Two Senates convene today

In Little Rock, The Arkansas Senate will convene this morning for an organizational meeting and to provide orientation to its new members, which include former Rep. Cecile Bledsoe (R-Rogers), former Rep. Larry Teague (D-Nashville), Rep. David Johnson (D-Little Rock), former Rep. Joyce Elliott (D-Little Rock), former Rep. Johnny Key (R-Mountain Home), and Rep. David Wyatt (D-Batesville). The Senate convenes at 9:00 a.m. The pre-filing period also begins this morning at the Capitol.

In Washington, The U.S. Senate will convene in a lame duck session to debate a potential stimulus package involving the Big Three automakers. The session takes place under the math of the existing Senate, where Democrats hold an edge of just 50-49 after Obama resigned his seat yesterday. Only one Republican has endorsed the plan. President Bush has said that money is meant for the financial services industry, to keep banks solvent and credit flowing, and not for manufacturers. The House will convene Wednesday.