New Congress due to meet for the first time as talking points take shape
Washington DC - The 118th US Congress is due on Tuesday to convene for the first time since the Midterm elections.
Republicans take control of the House of Representatives, while in the Senate, President Joe Biden's Democrats have an increased – though still narrow – majority.
In the House, the split is now 222 to 212 in favor of the GOP, while the Dems boast a 51-49 advantage in the Senate, including three independent members of Congress.
Both chambers meet for the first time on Tuesday at noon, with 82 new faces making their debut.
The top Republican in the House, Kevin McCarthy, is aiming to be elected speaker at the inaugural session, marking an official end to California Rep. Nancy Pelosi's term. The powerful post is third in the US political power structure after president and vice president.
But there are already signs that this won't be quite as straightforward as McCarthy would like. In view of the narrow Republican majority, McCarthy has had great difficulty securing enough votes in his own party's ranks.
Still, with their new strength in the House, the GOP will make life difficult for Biden. They have already announced congressional investigations into him and other members of the government and will be able to block legislation at will.
Meanwhile, all eyes will be on the swearing in of one particular Congress freshman: New York Representative-elect George Santos, a Republican who has come under heavy fire – and investigation – for fabricating virtually everything about his personal and professional background.
Cover photo: 123RF/pumppump