The 112th Congress: A Fresh Start

In an historic change of political leadership, Republicans' control of the House with the 112th Congress is sure to bring change to Washington. With Nancy Pelosi gone and John Boehner likely to be the new Speaker of the House, Obama faces a new political landscape. However, with so much to be expected of this new Congress, much like the election of Barack Obama in 2008, can the new political force deliver? America has spoken and the expectations are high.

There is no doubt the dramatic shift of power in the House is a bold statement from the American people; the 111th Congress' ways of operation proved too dramatic and "taxing" for mainstream America. However, Democrats still have a slim majority in the Senate (and, of course, a Democratic president) which will prove to be a political obstacle course getting legislation agreed upon and signed into law.

With the help of the Tea Party movement, Republicans' aggressive attacks on the Democrats yielded successful returns in key races throughout the U.S. Now, the challenge these newly elected officials face is how far right will the country (and the Democrats in congress) allow them to bend? Keeping campaign promises is hard to do, especially in a political climate like Washington, D.C. The Tea Party and middle-America will be expecting a lot from the 112th Congress - restrained spending, tax cuts, smaller government, overall fiscal responsibility and the possible repeal of the new Health Care Reform Bill. These are major elements Americans expect to see delivered from their new Congress.

With the lame duck session in December, Obama proved he and some fellow Democrats may be willing to reach across the aisle. This was best seen with the recent extension of the Bush Tax Cuts which the majority of Americans supported. If compromises like these continue, there will be much to be anticipated with the 112th Congress. If not, Americans are sure to rally together and hold these politicians responsible - the 2010 election showed they can. Regardless the political fight, Obama must be willing to come to the center or risk a huge upset in 2012.

There is no clear indicator as to what 2011 will bring for Congress and the American people. Will Congress participate in a political stalemate or will Democrats, for the first time since Obama was elected, come to the center?  

The political tides in Washington are shifting in a way that hasn't been seen in quite some time - a Democrat in the White House and a split Congress. However, if there is one lesson to be learned from the 111th Congress, it is to adhere to the will of the American people. With the House up for re-election every two years, America has seen just how quickly the tables can turn in Washington. Democrats' loss of 60+ seats in the November elections proved to lawmakers that the power is with the people.