WASHINGTON — In a blend of pageantry and politics, Republicans took control of Congress for the first time in eight years Tuesday then ran straight into a White House veto threat against their top-priority legislation to build the Keystone XL oil pipeline.
Republicans condemned the announcement, which came at the same time they were savoring the fruits of last fall’s elections and speaking brightly about possible bipartisan compromises in the two years ahead.
“I’m really optimistic about what we can accomplish,” said Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, moments after he was recognized as leader of the new Republican majority on one side of the Capitol.
At the other end of the majestic building, Rep. John Boehner of Ohio easily won a third term as House speaker despite attempts by Tea Party-faction dissidents to topple him. He said the 114th Congress would begin by passing legislation to “develop more North American energy” among top priorities, adding, “We invite the president to support and sign these bipartisan initiatives into law.”
It was an offer the White House could and did refuse — in advance.
“If this bill passes Congress, the president wouldn’t sign it,” presidential press secretary Josh Earnest said before Boehner spoke.
Earnest said the measure would undermine a review process underway by the administration.
The events spilled out rapidly on a day that offered a glimpse of the political forces at work in an era of divided government — the intraparty struggle among House Republicans, the coordination that GOP leaders in both houses showed in pursuing a conservative agenda and the blocking power of a Democratic president.
There was well-choreographed pageantry as Republicans installed a 54-46 majority in the Senate and took 246 of the 435 seats in the House, the most in more than 60 years.
The day involved installing Mia Love of Utah as the first black female Republican in Congress — the 114th of which includes 20 percent women and about 18 percent minorities.
Boehner first had to survive a challenge to his leadership by a group of critics so disorganized they failed to coalesce around a single alternative. The 25 votes cast against him were spread among nine potential replacements — including one who voted “present.” Rep. Louie Gohmert of Texas, the loudest of Boehner’s critics, drew only three votes — one of them his own.
Hours later, officials said Boehner had removed two dissidents, Florida Reps. Daniel Webster and Rich Nugent, from coveted slots on the Rules Committee.
After he won, Boehner entered to a standing ovation and gave a speech calling this Congress to work together, and end its gridlock.
He finished with a stirring — although epically mixed — metaphor.
“So let’s stand tall and prove the skeptics wrong,” Boehner said. “May the fruits of our labors be ladders our children can use to climb to the stars.”
One powerful player was absent but eager to show he would be back soon.
Democratic Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, now minority leader, issued a statement saying his doctors ordered him to stay away from his office so injuries suffered last week when a piece of exercise equipment broke “can continue to heal.” The statement disclosed for the first time that the 75-year-old lawmaker had suffered a concussion as well as broken facial bones and ribs.
Boehner issued a statement saying Obama had sided with the “fringe extremists” in his own party in opposing the proposed pipeline to carry Canadian oil into the United States.
Said McConnell: “The president threatening to veto the first bipartisan infrastructure bill of the new Congress must come as a shock to the American people who spoke loudly in November in favor of bipartisan accomplishments.”
The Washington Post contributed to this report.
Busy first day
Actions taken by the Republican-controlled 114th Congress on its first day:
Health care: House won 412-0 approval so smaller businesses that hire veterans don’t trigger a requirement in the health care law requiring coverage for employees.
Benghazi: House voted to extend a special committee’s investigation into the Sept. 11, 2012, attacks on an American diplomatic compound in Libya that killed Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three others.
Leadership: Elected John Boehner of Ohio House speaker and Mitch McDonnell of Kentucky Senate majority leader.
House rules: Passed a change permitting congressional scorekeepers to assume that tax-rate cuts increase revenue rather than reduce it.
