On Nov. 9, after two days of recounts and uncertainty following the midterm elections, the Democratic Party took control of Congress.Democrats picked up the deciding seat in the Senate when Republican George Allen of Virginia conceded to Jim Webb, his Democratic challenger. Within minutes of Allen’s announcement, Democrats rallied outside of the Capitol Building, celebrating the Party’s first major victory in 12 years.

Democrats will hold a 51-49 majority in the new Senate, including two Independents who say they will caucus with the Democrats. Currently, the Senate is 55-44 in favor of the Republicans. The last time Democrats had control of the Senate was in 1994, during the Clinton administration.

“It is time for a change,” said Senator Harry Reid, D-Nev. “It’s time for open government, transparency, and it’s a time for results.”

Change is a large part of the Democratic agenda. Democrats say they will push to change the areas of life that impact the average American, such as medical care, tuition, and energy dependence.

“The real job is not simply to win elections, but then to deliver for average New Yorkers and average Americans,” said Democratic caucus leader Charles Schumer.

The Democrats in the 110th Congress, beginning in January, hope to pass legislation to allow Medicare to negotiate with drug companies for lower drug prices. They plan to revive the college tuition tax deduction bill, which was passed in 2001 but dropped this year.

Democrats have also proposed an energy bill to help bring down the price of gasoline and make the United States less dependent on foreign oil. The bill would speed up the conversion of cars to alternative fuel by mandating that 25% of cars be equipped with flexible fuel technology by 2010.

“These are things that will help the middle class and those who aspire to be in the middle class,” said Schumer.

“It’s encouraging to see this ambition for really substantial change coming from the Democrats,” said junior Katie Yow. “I’m just dubious to see if they get it done.”

Another major part of the Democratic agenda is the war in Iraq. Both parties, and even President Bush, agree that a new direction is needed in order to fix the situation.

“I’m open to any idea or suggestion that will help us achieve our goals of defeating the terrorists and ensuring that Iraq’s democratic government succeeds,” said Bush.

“Nowhere did the American people make it more clear that we need a new direction than in the war in Iraq,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. “We cannot continue down this catastrophic path.”

Pelosi represents another major change in government-the first-ever female Speaker of the House. She promises strong leadership and cooperation from the Democrats, an area for which they’re often criticized.

“Democrats are ready to lead. We are prepared to govern. And we will do so working together with the administration and Republicans in Congress in partnership, not partisanship,” said Pelosi.

Within her first 100 hours as Speaker, Pelosi plans to implement a 6-point plan. The plan includes further raising the minimum wage, promoting stem cell research, and fighting against privatizing social security.

The Democratic Party is unanimous in its plan to lead America in a new direction with respect to energy sources, foreign policy, and benefits for the average American, but the party remains split on issues such as abortion and civil rights.

A Democratic swing in Congress does not mean a sudden shift to the political left, especially with the presence of “blue dog” Democrats-moderate to conservative Democrats who hope to make their voices more known in these next two years.

“We’re the largest centrist group left,” said Tennessee Rep. Jim Cooper, a member of the blue dogs. “We’ll have a louder bark now, and we’re going to need a larger kennel.”

Whether the Democratic Party leads with the cooperation Pelosi promised, or whether they let their disagreements get the best of them remains to be seen. Though this shift in power is a major change, for some it isn’t so much a blessing as the lesser of two evils.

“I don’t think anything wonderful, from my perspective, is going to happen, but I think this is going to slow down the terrible things from happening,” said Assistant Professor of Political Science Maria Rosales.