This
Week In Washington DC
Top 5 Stories
1.
The 114th Congress opened
Tuesday, with Republicans holding majorities in both chambers for the first
time since 2006, and barreling toward confrontations with the president over
the Affordable Care Act, approval of the Keystone XL pipeline, and immigration.
Look ahead: White House press
secretary Josh Earnest warned Tuesday the president will not sign legislation
approving the oil-sands pipeline.
2.
Speaker John Boehner secured 216
votes Tuesday to retain his gavel, and moved swiftly to exact a measure of
revenge against some defectors, removing Reps. Richard Nugent and Daniel
Webster, both of Florida, from the Rules Committee.
Look ahead: Aides suggest those
who opposed Boehner could face further repercussions in the weeks to come.
3.
President Obama this week
embarked on a three-day, three-state tour designed to take credit for recent
improvements in the nation's economy and preview the policy objectives he will
outline in his State of the Union address on Jan 20.
Look
ahead: After touting the auto industry bailout in Michigan and promoting
homeownership in Arizona, the president is expected to promote job training and
college affordability during a Friday stop in Tennessee.
4.
The manhunt continues for
brothers Said and Chérif Kouachi in connection with Wednesday's shooting at the
offices of French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, after suspect Hamyd Mourad surrendered to
police in Charleville-Mézières.
Look ahead: Some fear the
killings could bolster anti-Islamizations movements in Europe.
5.
Payroll-processing firm ADP
reports private-sector employers added 241,000 positions in December—led by
gains of 194,000 jobs in the services sector—exceeding economists' projections
of 226,000 jobs added.
Look ahead: The December jobs
report, slated for release Friday morning, is expected to reflect gains of
240,000 nonfarm jobs and an unemployment rate of 5.7%.
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