As the 112^th Congress begins this week, the key question is whether President Obama and the Democrat majority in the Senate will listen to the clear message sent by the American people in November.

As Sen.-elect Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) explains in this week’s Republican Address, “For Republicans, the start of the 112th Congress on Wednesday will mark the opening of a new chapter for our country and our Party. We’re keenly aware that the American people are relying on us to change business as usual in Washington – and we’re well-positioned to do just that. In the House, 87 new Republican members are set to make John Boehner the next Speaker – putting Republicans in charge of the chamber. And in the Senate, 13 new Republican senators will give us greater say in the Democrat-controlled Senate.”

Sen.-elect Ayotte says, “The American people sent us to Congress with clear instructions: make government smaller, not bigger. And stop spending money we don’t have on programs that aren’t working. It’s now our responsibility to carry out the will of the people.”

Both The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times note Republicans in the House beginning work to carry out the voters’ mandate. The WSJ writes, “The Republican majority that takes over the House this week plans an ambitious drive to slash government spending by tens of billions of dollars in the next few months, a strategy that ensures that the capital soon will be consumed by intense debate over how and where to reduce the size of government. . . . Republicans in the House say they plan to move on to offer a far more sweeping package of ‘recissions,’ or elimination of spending previously approved, that will aim to bring domestic spending back to where it was before Mr. Obama became president.”

The Journal also notes, “In another early move, Republicans are requiring the reading of the U.S. Constitution on Thursday—a nod to the tea-party activists who were so important to GOP victories in the fall and the movement’s complaints that Congress has reached beyond its constitutional powers under the Obama administration.”

And they NYT reports, “Soon after the 112th Congress convenes Wednesday, Republicans in the House plan to make good on a campaign promise that helped vault many new members to victory: voting to repeal President Obama’s health care overhaul.”

As Sen.-elect Ayotte says, “Americans across the country have been taking time to declare their ‘new year’s resolutions.’ It’s an opportunity to clarify goals and make productive plans for the future. Republicans headed to Washington are participating in a similar exercise. As we prepare to start the hard work of governing, we’re doubling our commitment to the principles on which we were elected.”

But will Democrats finally acknowledge the message of voters on Election Day? Will they support Republican efforts to reduce spending? Will any Democrats join with Republicans to repeal and replace the unpopular health care law liberal leaders jammed through Congress last year?

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