AFP – 02 Jan 2015 – Lawmakers return to Washington on Tuesday under a new, fully Republican banner after the party swept to victory in November elections.
Republican leaders will have plenty on their plate in the first quarter, as the party seeks to roll back President Barack Obama’s legislative gains and press its own agenda ahead of the 2016 presidential race.
Republican legislation, including several pro-jobs bills, should pass relatively easily through the House of Representatives, where Republicans expanded their majority to 247 of 435 seats.
It will be tougher in the 100-member Senate, where 60 votes are often needed to advance legislation. Republicans will hold 54 seats in the chamber.
Obama gives his State of the Union speech Jan. 20 laying out his policy priorities, but several issues will already be churning on Capitol Hill.
The Senate will swiftly address Iran’s nuclear program, according to Republican Senator Mark Kirk, who co-authored new sanctions on Iran.
The White House has warned Congress that tightening sanctions could destroy international negotiations aimed at preventing Iran from developing an atomic bomb.
But with bipartisan support for a firm stance, Obama could potentially face a tough call on whether to veto legislation that would impose sanctions and require Congress to sign off on any final deal.
Lawmakers will also debate a prospective new authorization for use of military force against Islamic State extremists.
The administration conducts its current operations, including more than 1,100 airstrikes in Syria and Iraq since September targeting ISIS, under authority passed in 2001 and 2002 after Al-Qaeda’s 9/11 attacks on the United States.
Many Democrats have bucked Obama and demanded a limited, three-year authority that prohibits the use of U.S. ground troops.