On Friday, the new Congress is commencing its term with the Republicans holding sway over the House and Senate. This event precedes the anticipated return of Donald Trump to the presidency later this month. With their newfound power, Republican leaders plan to focus on key areas, including immigration and tax reform.

The exact approach that the Republicans will adopt is yet to be determined. Earlier, the House Speaker, Mike Johnson, proposed a strategy to advance the GOP’s agenda through a budget reconciliation process. This strategy allows quick passage of specific legislation types, bypassing the standard 60-vote requirement in the Senate. However, this reconciliation process is complex and carries its own constraints on what can be included.

Johnson, who is facing his own challenging speaker’s election on Friday, stated that a reconciliation package would be crucial for the first 100 days. However, he admitted that it would require extensive coordination, planning, and precise execution of plans.

As the new Congress begins its term, it will be marked by the speaker’s election and the Electoral College vote count on Monday, January 6. The Republicans have expressed their unity on the issues and claim that they have a mandate from the American people to fulfill Trump’s “America First” agenda. However, a clear path forward on these priorities is yet to be seen.

The Republicans have been promoting a drastic shift in immigration policy for months, taking cues from Trump’s promises. They have pledged to target both unauthorized and legal immigrants with unprecedented measures, including mass deportations.

The Republicans also aim to extend or even make permanent key aspects of Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that are set to expire by the end of the year. They also plan to enhance existing provisions that encourage domestic ownership of intellectual property and promote company spending on innovation.

However, the success of these plans hinges on the Republicans maintaining unity in the House and Senate. Despite having a GOP trifecta when Trump took office in 2017, the Republicans fell short of several goals due to internal disputes and disarray.

In the new Congress, the Republicans also aim to address energy policy, promising to “unleash” domestic energy production by opening federal lands for drilling, mandating lease sales, and easing energy permitting regulations.

Trump has announced many Cabinet and top administration officials, most of whom require Senate confirmation. The Senate Republicans have committed to quickly approving Trump’s nominations after he assumes office. However, some of Trump’s choices have sparked controversy, raising questions about their swift confirmation.

In conclusion, the new Congress, led by the Republicans, is set to usher in significant changes in key areas, including immigration, taxes, and energy policy. The success of these plans will depend on maintaining party unity and overcoming potential hurdles in the Senate.