Pelosi says Congress faces 'intense' start

WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has warned colleagues to prepare for a strenuous schedule when Congress resumes in January.

"The opening days of the Congress will be intense," Pelosi said in an e-mail sent Tuesday. "Thanks to your leadership and the unity of the caucus, I know that we will be ready."

Congress officially returns to business on Tuesday after spending Monday deciding committee assignments for new members and for returning representatives wishing to upgrade their assignments, Politico reported Wednesday.

Congress also will start work next week on an economic stimulus package, with economists Mark Zandi, Robert Reich and Martin Feldstein scheduled to testify about the recovery plan before the Steering & Policy Committee, Politico reported.