With House majority, GOP sets sights on Obama's policies
From left, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) Credit: Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) with Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) (Getty Images)
A Republican-led House will try to erase some of President Barack Obama’s biggest accomplishments, GOP leaders said yesterday.
The top targets figure to be health care and financial regulatory reforms.
“It’s pretty clear the American people want a smaller, less costly and more accountable government,” said Ohio Republican John Boehner, likely to become the next House speaker.
However, because the Democrats still hold a majority in the Senate and have presidential veto power, the Republicans will face an uphill battle in rolling back Obama’s policies.
“We’re determined to stop the agenda Americans have rejected and to turn the ship around,” said Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
Obama yesterday vowed to work more closely with Republicans on legislation. He added that he will meet with GOP and Democratic leaders in the next few weeks to discuss the Bush-era tax cuts that are set to expire Dec. 31.
The power shift in the House could potentially mean fewer federal dollars flowing into New York, said Alan Chartock, a professor and political scientist at SUNY Albany.
“It can’t help,” he said. “I fully expect they’ll pare down the budget.”
Areas susceptible to cuts include education, defense and Medicare, Chartock added.
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