The Patriot Post® · GOP Sets New Year Agenda

As members of the 114th Congress take their seats Tuesday with the GOP in majority in both chambers, the Republican Party will begin the session by trying to approve the Keystone XL pipeline and changing the ObamaCare definition of full-time work to 40 hours a week instead of 30 – issues that have bipartisan support. A House aide, who serves Republican leadership, told The New York Times, “The Senate will be ground zero,” as the GOP still has to persuade four Democrats to vote with them to reach 60 votes to send legislation to Barack Obama’s executive pen. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) wants to reform the failed educational policy No Child Left Behind, a move that would essentially reduce the federal government’s meddling with state and local school boards. But while senators are anticipating a bipartisan political game and plotting governing moves, there is infighting in the House. At least nine GOP representatives will make a show of voting against John Boehner as House Speaker because he did not stand up to the president and agreed to fund Obama’s executive immigration decrees until February. More…