The new US Congress convened Tuesday for the first time, facing potential divisive issues of judicial nominations and proposed changes to the Social Security system.

After pageantry and pleasantries, the 109th Congress was expected to approve resolutions expressing sympathy and pledging support for victims of the Asia tsunami that killed about 150,000 in seven countries.

Republicans reinforced their majorities in both chambers in theNov. 2 election. They picked up four seats in the 100-member senate to reach 55, and added three seats in the House, commanding232 of the 435 seats.

President George W. Bush hopes the strengthened position of hisRepublic Party in the Congress would help push through his ambitious domestic agenda for the second-term.

But politician from both parties agreed that the judicial nominations and Social Security reform could turn the new Congressinto one of the most partisan and contentious sessions in recent times.

Senate Democrats may face a high-stakes decision on whether to filibuster a Supreme Court nomination, a move certain to ignite a ferocious fight with Bush and Republican senators.

Democrats used filibusters in 2004 to block 10 conservative appellate court nominees who they said were too conservative. Republicans have called the practice intolerable and threatened torule that filibusters against judicial nominees are unconstitutional.

In reforming the Social Security, Bush has called for allowing workers to divert some of their payroll taxes to private accounts,which could be invested in stocks and bonds. Critics say Bush has not explained how he would pay for the revisions, and many Democrats say privatizing the Social Security system was an irresponsible gambling.

Source: Xinhua