WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Congress is back in session this week. Republican lawmakers are rallying around President-elect Trump and making plans for their new majority, while Democrats try to figure out what went wrong.
Republicans are riding high from their election wins and while there are still a few weeks before the new leaders get sworn in, they say they’re laying the groundwork for their agenda.
“Go in there and get the job done. Making our nation great again, we’re going to get to work,” said Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.).
Republicans secured a majority in the Senate and while control of the House is still too close to call, they say they’ll win control there too and Congressman Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) says that gives Republicans a mandate to start tackling the issues they ran on.
“A terrible economy, high inflation, open borders and conflict around the globe,” said Donalds.
President- elect Trump won’t be back in the White House until January but Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) says that lawmakers have work to do now to prepare.
“We’re going to have hearings and votes. So that on day one, January 20th, when the president takes over, he’s going to have as much of the cabinet in place as we can get,” said Barrasso.
On the other side of the aisle, Democrats are trying to figure out the reason for their losses.
Congressman John Garamendi (D-Calif.) said on The Hill Sunday on Newsnation that his party needs to figure out how to make changes going forward.
“We’re going to take a look. What do we need to do different, and there are many things we need to do,” said Garamendi.
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) argues the problem is clear.
“If you’re an average working person out there, do you really think that the Democratic party is going to the mats taking on powerful, special interests, and fighting for you? I think the overwhelming answer is no and that is what it’s got to change,” said Sanders.
Senate Republicans are planning to pick a new majority leader this week. They’re scheduled to hold a secret ballot election on Wednesday.
