WASHINGTON (AP) – Republicans are looking like they finally figured out how to govern.
The GOP’s first months in control of both chambers of Congress were marked by high-profile stumbles and a near-shutdown of the Homeland Security Department.
But this week, the party celebrated important successes. Republicans in both the House and the Senate came together to pass boldly conservative and balanced budgets. House leaders struck a bipartisan deal on Medicare that passed on a huge vote and is expected to clear the Senate once lawmakers return from a two-week spring break.
Republican Rep. Renee Ellmers of North Carolina says: “Don’t look now but we’re actually governing.”
Lawmakers are optimistic it’s a sign of things to come, but they stop short of declaring that they’ve tamed Capitol Hill.