FLORIDA FALLOUT PUTS CONGRESS POLES APART

The political fallout from the Florida vote counting in the presidential election could further polarize Democrats and Republicans in Congress, U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson said.

Republicans are expected to have about an 11-vote majority in the House, but in the Senate, the parties could be evenly divided.

That could spell gridlock for the legislative process in Washington next year, she said Wednesday, adding that "unless the Senate has 60 votes, it is real hard to get anything done."

Whether it is Vice President Al Gore or Texas Gov. George W. Bush, whoever wins must reach across party lines to get legislation passed, Emerson said.

"It would be my hope," she said, "given this incredible mess with the presidential election, that whoever wins will have to reach out and really govern from a much more non-partisan perspective."

Emerson, in a telephone interview from her Washington office, said Bush has a track record of working with Democratic legislators in Texas.

Compromise needed

She isn't convinced Gore, on the other hand, would reach out to Republicans.

"If Gore wins, he is going to really have to learn to reach out and work with people," she said.

If Gore is unwilling to compromise, Republicans might stand their ground too, she said, and that could lead to an even more partisan atmosphere than has occurred in this session.

Lawmakers have adjourned for the Thanksgiving holiday but are expected back Dec. 5 to try to iron out the remaining appropriations bills.

Lawmakers from both parties are reluctant to finish with the bills until it's clear who will be the next president.

"If Bush wins, then the Democrats will compromise more," she said. "If Gore wins, then the thought is that Republicans would compromise more."

Whoever wins could wind up a one-term president, Emerson said.

The new president will have to "hit the ground" running and work with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle if he wants to win re-election to a second term, she said.

Emerson said she and fellow members of Congress have been "glued" to their televisions in recent days watching the unfolding recounts and court battles in Florida.

"It has been a civics lesson for everyone," she said.