Congressman Marlin Stutzman (R-IN) is on his way to
“It's going to be an exciting day, but also a day of a lot of seriousness in the fact that we have a lot of challenges facing us,” said Stutzman.
GOP lawmakers say, as one of their first acts, they'll work to repeal President Obama's health care law. That’s just one of many battles sure to rage in
But while Republicans control the House by almost 60 seats, Democrats hold the Senate by a slim majority, and President Obama is in the White House. Given all that, how much will get done?
“There's going to be a lot of gridlock, but there'll be a lot of activity right away,” said Michael Wolf, associate professor of political science at IPFW.
One item on the agenda—Republican lawmakers say they'll work to repeal health care reform.
“We do need changes in our health care system, but we don't need a government takeover,” said Stutzman.
Wolf says some parts of the law may be repealed, but probably not the entire thing.
“They will repeal in the House, but the Senate will not, and certainly would never get over a veto by the president,” said Wolf.
Another hot topic is government spending. A new budget will be introduced this year, the battle over last year's budget will continue, and lawmakers will debate whether to raise the debt ceiling.
“It’s going to be very active and a full slate right in the first quarter of this year,” said Wolf.
Rep. Stutzman and his fellow lawmakers will be sworn in Wednesday at the U.S. Capitol.
