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U.S. NEWS Tuesday 3 January 2017
GOP Congress feels it has mandate to undo Obama’s agenda

MARY CLARE JALONICK nations. But even though consideration of Obama’s
Associated Press they won’t be able to block nominee, Judge Merrick
WASHINGTON (AP) — Re- Trump’s nominees, Demo- Garland, saying the next
publicans’ grip on all le- crats have pledged to fight president should make the
vers of power stands as a many of them anyway, pick. The strategy paid off,
mandate to the GOP-led highlighting what they say and the Republican Sen-
Congress, which will move is the hypocrisy of Trump’s ate will consider whomever
swiftly to try to undo eight populist message and his Trump nominates.
years of outgoing President wealthy, corporate-favor- MEDICARE CHANGES
Barack Obama’s agenda. ing nominees for several Ryan is the most powerful
With Republican President- posts. advocate in Washington
elect Donald Trump just REPEALING OBAMA’S for an overhaul of Medi-
weeks away from assum- HEALTH CARE LAW care and a premium-sup-
ing office, GOP lawmak- The Senate plans to begin port approach that would,
ers plan to open the 115th repealing Obama’s health over time, remake it into a
Congress on Tuesday and care law on Tuesday, Con- voucher-like program that In this Dec. 8, 2016 file photo, House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis.,
immediately take steps to gress’ very first day, with could force some seniors and others, listen as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of
repeal Obama’s health consideration of a pro- entering the program to Ky., speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington.
care law. Beyond that, cedural measure that will buy health insurance on Associated Press
they’ll look at a tax over- shield the initiative from the open market instead of program, and Senate Re- severely disabled people.
haul, reversing Obama-era Democratic filibusters. getting coverage through publicans haven’t been as During the campaign,
environmental regulations Lawmakers will then spend the traditional open-ended enthusiastic either. Trump seemed to shift,
and other conservative pri- the next few months work- program. Candidate Trump also ini- backing “block grants”
orities. ing on legislation canceling But his ideas likely will run tially promised not to cut that limit federal funding.
Republicans will face some broad swaths of the law. into a political reality. Trump Medicaid — the federal-
obstacles. House Minority Likely to go are its mandate said on the campaign trail state health insurance pro- Continued on page 27
Leader Nancy Pelosi says that people buy health in- that he wouldn’t cut the gram for low-income and
Democrats “stand ready surance or face IRS fines,
to fight vigorously” to pro- and its expansion of Med-
tect health care and other icaid coverage to more
priorities, and Republicans lower-earning Americans.
will have to compromise Some elements of the re-
with Senate Democrats peal likely wouldn’t go into
to move major legislation effect for two to four years.
through that chamber. Republicans will then begin
A look at what the 115th the more complicated task
Congress will be up to in of building a new system.
2017: The GOP will have to craft
NEW MEMBERS new programs for the na-
New members of the House tion’s $3 trillion health care
and Senate will be sworn in system and make sure in-
on Tuesday, the first day of surance markets don’t col-
the new Congress. lapse while the transition is
In the Senate, five Demo- under way.
crats and two Republicans TAX OVERHAUL
will be sworn in for the first Senate Majority Leader
time, joined by return- Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.,
ing members who won and Speaker Paul Ryan, R-
re-election in 2016. After Wis., want a massive over-
those members are sworn haul of the tax system with
in, there will be 52 Repub- the goal of simplifying a
licans, 46 Democrats and complicated tax code that
two independents who rewards wealthy people
caucus with the Demo- with smart accountants as
crats. well as corporations that
The House will have 52 new can easily shift profits and
members — 27 Republi- jobs overseas.
cans and 25 Democrats. It would be the first major
There will be 241 Republi- tax overhaul in 30 years.
cans in the House and 194 Trump has also advocated
Democrats. a tax overhaul, but with
CONFIRMING A NEW CABI- fewer details. He promises
NET a tax cut for every income
Trump is sworn in on Jan. level, with more low-in-
20, and Republicans in the come families paying no
Senate will spend the first income tax at all.
days and weeks of his presi- SUPREME COURT
dency pushing to confirm Supreme Court Justice
his Cabinet picks. Demo- Antonin Scalia died 11
crats changed the rules months ago, but the Sen-
and curbed the filibuster ate still hasn’t considered
in 2013, making it easier for a replacement. That’s be-
Republicans to move nomi- cause McConnell blocked