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Republicans take control of US Congress after eight years Republicans take control of US Congress after eight years
(35 minutes later)
Republicans are set to take control of both chambers of Congress for the first time in eight years.Republicans are set to take control of both chambers of Congress for the first time in eight years.
New and re-elected senators and all representatives began the swearing-in process at midday.New and re-elected senators and all representatives began the swearing-in process at midday.
At the top of the Republican agenda is approval of the Keystone XL pipeline, a challenge to Barack Obama's healthcare law and a trade deal. At the top of the Republican agenda is approval of the Keystone XL pipeline, which was the first bill introduced on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, House Speaker John Boehner is facing a leadership challenge from several more conservative members.Meanwhile, House Speaker John Boehner is facing a leadership challenge from several more conservative members.
Among those challenging Mr Boehner is Texas Representative Louis Gohmert, who earlier said it was time for a change after "years of broken promises".Among those challenging Mr Boehner is Texas Representative Louis Gohmert, who earlier said it was time for a change after "years of broken promises".
But Mr Boehner has already won a vote of Republican representatives and would need to lose dozens of additional votes from his party to be ousted as speaker.But Mr Boehner has already won a vote of Republican representatives and would need to lose dozens of additional votes from his party to be ousted as speaker.
Some Republicans have decried the leadership fight as a distraction from the party's newly won ability to pass legislation.Some Republicans have decried the leadership fight as a distraction from the party's newly won ability to pass legislation.
The party won a majority in the Senate during November's mid-term election.The party won a majority in the Senate during November's mid-term election.
But they have been angered by recent solo actions by Mr Obama including an executive action on immigration policy and a major shift in US policy towards Cuba.But they have been angered by recent solo actions by Mr Obama including an executive action on immigration policy and a major shift in US policy towards Cuba.
Congress will convene at noon (17:00 GMT), as required by the US Constitution.Congress will convene at noon (17:00 GMT), as required by the US Constitution.
A vote on the approval of the Keystone XL pipeline, a controversial oil pipeline extension on hold for years, is already expected in the House later this week.A vote on the approval of the Keystone XL pipeline, a controversial oil pipeline extension on hold for years, is already expected in the House later this week.
The legislation may have enough support to pass Democratic blocks in the Senate. On Tuesday, the legislation became the first bill to be introduced in the new Congress.
The White House has not said whether or not Mr Obama will veto the legislation. It may have enough support to pass the Senate but the White House has said Mr Obama would veto the legislation if it came to his desk.
The US president has used his power of veto twice in his six years as president, but has said he expects to use it more now that both chambers are controlled by Republicans.The US president has used his power of veto twice in his six years as president, but has said he expects to use it more now that both chambers are controlled by Republicans.
Republicans are also set to take on Mr Obama's immigration policy changes through a funding fight, legislation to repeal or defund the health law often referred to as "Obamacare", and fast-track a Pacific trade deal.Republicans are also set to take on Mr Obama's immigration policy changes through a funding fight, legislation to repeal or defund the health law often referred to as "Obamacare", and fast-track a Pacific trade deal.
Despite the likelihood of high-profile clashes, Republican leaders and the White House have signalled there might be co-operating on such trade deals, as well as tax reform and infrastructure spending.Despite the likelihood of high-profile clashes, Republican leaders and the White House have signalled there might be co-operating on such trade deals, as well as tax reform and infrastructure spending.
Mr Obama could face pressure on the Trans-Pacific Partnership - a 12 nation trade deal - from the more liberal parts of his party.Mr Obama could face pressure on the Trans-Pacific Partnership - a 12 nation trade deal - from the more liberal parts of his party.
Senate liberals, including Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, have argued the deal benefits global corporations at the expense of American workers.Senate liberals, including Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, have argued the deal benefits global corporations at the expense of American workers.