Challenges Ahead for the New Congress

The New Year brings a new Congress - the 112th Congress will convene in Washington in the weeks ahead.  With so many new members of both the Senate and the House, we are sure to see some significant changes in how the legislative process works. 

At the same time, we will be focusing on key legislative issues facing Americans - at the top of the list: the repeal and defunding of ObamaCare.

From the very beginning, this pro-abortion, government-run health care law was rejected by most Americans.  When the new Congress is seated, the focus will turn to the House of Representatives, where the new Leadership has promised a repeal vote within the first few days of the new session. 

We anticipate the House will successfully pass the repeal and send it to the Senate for consideration.  While passage in the Senate is less likely, this move will still achieve two main objectives: first, highlighting which Senators are standing in the way of repeal before they stand for re-election in 2012; and secondly, clear the way for other efforts to block ObamaCare including an effort to block funding for the law.

It's our hope that with this new Congress comes a renewed energy behind a return to the principles of the U.S. Constitution, and the limitations of government that are enshrined in our founding documents.  We are particularly interested in helping the 112th Congress implement procedures to respect those Constitutional boundaries. 

On January 6th, the House of Representatives will commence a reading of the Constitution on the House Floor, a move that will publically affirm the goal of adhering to the words of the Constitution.

Additionally, we are encouraged by the recently released Rules for the House in the 112th Congress, as they will require every member of Congress to clearly state the Constitutional authority behind every bill they introduce - a very positive development.

Finally, we are calling on the new Leadership in both the House and the Senate to engage in aggressive hearings about the radical roots of terrorism.  For too long, the U.S. government has downplayed the real threat of homegrown terrorism.   

Now, an admission from Attorney General of the United States, Eric Holder.  In a rare interview, he admitted that he is seeing an increase of American citizens "who for whatever reason, have decided that they are going to become radicalized and take up arms against the nation in which they were born."

At the same time, we're encouraged that the incoming Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, Congressman Peter King (R-NY), has committed to holding hearings on the threat of homegrown terrorism, and the radicalization of Muslims in America.  This is an issue of national security - one that needs to be addressed without delay.

The 112th Congress gets underway soon. We'll keep you posted on these and other pertinent issues online and on our daily radio broadcast, Jay Sekulow Live!