Freshman Democrats who were elected in large part to put an end to the Iraq War will announce a far more modest effort Tuesday: They want Iraq to pay for its own rebuilding.

[IMGCAP(1)]With oil reaching $120 a barrel, Iraq oil profits swelling and voters incensed over the emergence of $4-a-gallon gasoline, the idea of making Iraq pick up a bigger piece of the war’s tab has bipartisan appeal.

The freshman class signed a letter to appropriators seeking language requiring Iraq to repay the United States for reconstruction, training and fuel funding in future spending bills.

Swearing In. Rep.-elect Don Cazayoux (D) is set to be sworn in this afternoon on the House floor to fill the Louisiana Congressional seat vacated by former Rep. Richard Baker (R).

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) will hold a mock swearing-in ceremony at about 1:30 p.m.

Cazayoux is the second Democratic pickup in a special election this year after Democrats took the Illinois seat long held by former Speaker Dennis Hastert (R).

— Steven T. Dennis