WASHINGTON

Lawmakers and congressmen-to-be came to Washington Monday as triumphant Democrats and vanquished Republicans focused more on the upcoming change in power than on President Bush’s wish list for the final few months of GOP rule.

Orientation meetings for more than 50 incoming House freshmen began at 8:45 a.m. EST. Dozens of wide-eyed rookie lawmakers were learning the ropes. They were scheduled to meet with President Bush later in the day at the White House.

“From both parties, we all sort of have the same feeling: ‘Wow! Is this really happening,’” said Michael Arcuri, D-N.Y.

The main order of House business planned for Monday was consideration of a free-trade bill with Vietnam, ahead of Bush’s scheduled visit there Friday. The Senate was to debate a funding bill for veterans programs.

The real action, however, will be off the floor as the speaker-to-be, Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., prepares to take the reins of the House and Harry Reid, D-Nev., does the same in the Senate.

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