WASHINGTON -- The Democratic party took a commanding lead in theHouse and blue gains in the Senate were just enough for a slimadvantage in the Senate.

The Senate was split 51-49, including two independents caucusingwith the Democrats. Democratic candidates Jim Webb (Va.) and JonTester (Mont.) won tightly contested races with respectiveRepublican incumbents, George Allen and Conrad Burns. Allen wasexpected to concede to Webb last Thursday while everyone but Burnswas calling the Montana race for Tester.

Just three Senate Banking Committee members' seats were in playthis election: Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), who lost his re-election bidto Bob Casey Jr., and Democrats Bob Menendez (N.J.) and DebbieStabenow (Mich.) held their seats. Ranking Member Paul Sarbanes(D-Md.) is retiring at the end of the session. Additionally,Senator-elect Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is a likely candidate for aseat on the committee, credit union lobbyists have said.

Santorum also served on the Finance Committee, which overseestax law. Committee members Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) and Jim Jeffords(I-Vt.) are retiring at the end of the session, but Olympia Snowe(R-Maine) and Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), who sit on the committee,were re-elected.

The Dems took the House by 27, as of press time according to TheWashington Post, when they only needed 15 for control. Anti-creditunion tax Ways & Means Committee Members J.D. Hayworth(R-Ariz.) and Melissa Hart (R-Pa.) were defeated in the battle. MaxBurns (R-Ga.), whom CULAC supported, was defeated two years ago bycurrent incumbent John Barrow (D); Burns and Barrow wereneck-and-neck at deadline. Former CURIA co-sponsor Nick Lampson(D-Texas) has won back the seat he held prior to his defeat in2004, which was open this election. CULAC, which contributed nearly$3.7 million to federal candidates, was involved in 381 of the 436House races. The candidates CULAC gave to, won 91% of thoseelections called at press time, according to CUNA PoliticalDirector Trey Hawkins, who added that those figures could go up asmore winners were determined. In addition, there were 32 open Houseseats in which CULAC supported candidates in 28 of them. Of these28, 24 won, only three lost, and one race was still undecided.

Gose also pointed out that CULAC had given to all 33 Senateseats up for election with 25 wins, 8 losses.

"The war in Iraq combined with the 'Foley Effect' likely createda Republican fatigue across most of the electorate," NAFCU SeniorVice President of Government Affairs Dan Berger observed. "And notonly did the fatigue motivate Democrats and Independents but italso seemed to have dulled the enthusiasm of Republican voters." Headded that it was disappointing to lose a number of credit unionfriends, but hoped the industry would create new supporters.

"Luckily, credit unions have such strong supporters for ourissues in both parties that the credit union community will likelybe just fine," Berger commented. "NAFCU has always successfullylobbied both sides of the aisle with our credit unions' bipartisangrassroots efforts and our bipartisan team of lobbyists."

CUNA Senior Vice President of Legislative Affairs John Magillsaid, "I don't think it's going to affect [lobbying strategy] atall." He pointed out that CUNA is pretty evenly staffed withRepublican and Democratic lobbyists. He did say there would be alot of educating to do with the new members of Congress.

Hawkins pointed out where political contributions are concerned,the only top 20 PAC giving more bipartisan than CUNA is therealtors. NAFCU/PAC is split pretty much the same way.

Overall leadership and committee leadership determinations arestill a little ways off, Magill said, calling the current state ofCongress "contained chaos." He did say the change of party controlwould likely lead to a shorter lame duck [email protected]