WASHINGTON (CBSNews)- The Senate changed hands just before one p.m. Tuesday, and Kentucky Republican Mitch McConnell officially took the reins as Majority Leader.
“Let me just say, we’re anxious to get to work here,” McConnell said.
Republicans immediately introduced Senate Bill One: a bill to expedite construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline, followed by a bill to alter a key Obamacare provision requiring companies to cover full time workers.
Both bills have some Democratic support. Still, the White House promptly threatened to veto them — a taste of what’s to come in Washington’s new balance of power.
And it’s not just Republicans versus Democrats. In the House, Ohio’s John Boehner was reelected speaker, but two dozen of his fellow Republicans defected — voting for members they consider more conservative.
It was a warning shot to Republican leaders as they consider working with the president on some issues, including tax reform and trade.
“As speaker, all I ask — and frankly expect — is that we disagree without being disagreeable,” Boehner said after the vote.
Boehner saw some defections when he was reelected speaker two years ago, but not as many. His aides brushed off the vote, noting that he still got the support of more than 90 percent of his party.
