This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-30700674

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Republicans take control of US Congress after eight years John Boehner survives House rebellion as Congress returns
(about 1 hour later)
Republicans are set to take control of both chambers of Congress for the first time in eight years. John Boehner has won another term as House speaker as Republicans 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. Mr Boehner survived a leadership challenge from the party's more conservative wing, with 25 Republicans voting against him.
At the top of the Republican agenda is approval of the Keystone XL pipeline, which was the first bill introduced on Tuesday. At the top of the Republican agenda is approval of the Keystone XL pipeline, which was the first bill introduced.
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".
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.
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. Republicans already controlled the House of Representatives.
Congress will convene at noon (17:00 GMT), as required by the US Constitution. They have been angered by recent unilateral actions by Mr Obama including an executive action on immigration policy and a major shift in US policy on Cuba.
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. Both chambers convened at midday, as required by the US constitution, after an early morning storm that left the capital city covered in snow.
On Tuesday, the legislation became the first bill to be introduced in the new Congress. "Hard work awaits," said the new Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell. "I'm really optimistic about what we can accomplish."
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. During prepared remarks on Tuesday, Mr Boehner said he wanted Mr Obama to work with Republicans on bills that have stalled in recent years.
But he also criticised unnamed fellow representatives for "shadow boxing and show business".
The first bill to be introduced was the approval for Keystone XL, a controversial oil pipeline extension on hold for years.
It may have enough support to pass a procedural hurdle in the Senate but on Tuesday, the White House has said Mr Obama would veto the legislation if it came to his desk.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the legislation undermined a "well-established" review process and did not take into account a lawsuit still pending in the state of Nebraska over the pipeline's route.
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-operation 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 that liberals like Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders say benefits 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.