WASHINGTON, D.C. -Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced today that her first order of business as the new speaker would be to rearrange the furniture in the House of Representatives. Congresswoman Pelosi also said she intends to replace the drapes and put a fresh coat of paint on the walls within the first one hundred days of her term. "The American people have spoken, and they want a change," she said. "And that begins by changing the deplorable way the desks and chairs are placed in this chamber."
Speaking to moderator Tim Russert on the NBC television program Meet the Press, Pelosi said she would appoint a bipartisan commission to study contemporary interior design. "We are committed to moving forward." She promised Republicans would have a voice in choosing paint "that both sides could live with." She said the current look of the chamber was an impediment to progress. "If we want to brighten the legislation that passes through this House, then we've got to brighten the color scheme on these walls. It just doesn't do anything for me." Representative Pelosi said she hoped both parties could work together after Congress returns from the Thanksgiving recess to begin moving desks and chairs "to see what looks good together."
Former Speaker of the House, Representative Dennis Hastert of Illinois , was pessimistic anything could get done before new members arrive in January. "First of all," he said, "there isn't enough time." Hastert said he didn't think it would be fair to incoming legislators to bind them to seating arrangements made by lame-duck members of Congress. "Anyway," he asked, "how do we know she won't want to rearrange the whole thing all over again after we're done?"
