(VOVworld) – The 114th US Congress, of which both chambers are led by the Republicans, elected key positions in the Senate and the House of Representatives on Tuesday, the first day of the new session.
Despite opposition of the ultra-conservative Tea Party, John Boehner won a third term as Speaker of the House of Representatives, where Republicans hold their biggest majority in 70 years. Democrat Nancy Pelosi was elected minority leader of the House.
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House Speaker John Boehner takes the gavel from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.
(Photo: Reuters) |
Senator Mitch McConnell took the Senate majority leadership from Harry Reid, who was unable to attend the proceedings because of some injuries he suffered while exercising last week.
Republican lawmakers said they will discuss major internal issues: the Keystone XL oil pipeline linking Canada to refineries in the south, jobs for war veterans, and immigration reform.
At the first session, 71 new congressmen were sworn in, most of them Republicans elected in last November’s mid-term election.