President Barack Obama arrived back in Washington Sunday after a two-week vacation in Hawaii, his home state.
The political landscape in Washington will change for Obama this week, as Republicans take control of the U.S. Senate when a new Congress convenes. Now with majorities in both houses of the legislature following November elections, Republicans face a dual task – advancing their core beliefs, while also working with the president, a Democrat, during his final two years in office.
Incoming Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, speaking on CNN television Sunday, seemed to strike a conciliatory note by saying that just because Americans voted for a divided government (a Republican-controlled Congress and a Democratic president) it does not have to mean gridlock. McConnell said voters want compromise and progress on key issues.
Still, many Republican lawmakers are seen as eager to begin chipping away at many of the president’s initiatives, among them the Affordable Care Act – commonly called Obamacare – that requires most Americans to purchase health care insurance.
Many legislators also want to do away with Obama’s new immigration policy that provides a gateway to U.S. citizenship for undocumented immigrants living in the country illegally. Also, under fire in Republican quarters is Obama’s recent decision to restore diplomatic relations with Cuba, ending a half-century long policy of isolating the communist nation.
As lawmakers settle into Washington this week following the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, the president will go on the road with a three-day visit to several U.S. cities to highlight his policies that Democrats say have contributed to America’s economic recovery.
The theme of his travels will undoubtedly be a key element of his annual State of the Union address on January 20.
Analysts say Obama has been energized by his end-of-the-year actions on immigration policy and Cuban relations.
Dealing with Republican objections, Obama has made it clear that he will use his veto power to block any efforts aimed at scaling back his initiatives.
Source-VOANews
