Republican Representative John Boehner from Ohio received enough votes on Wednesday to become the new speaker of the House of Representatives, replacing Democratic Representative Nancy Pelosi from California. "We gather here today at a time of great challenges" Boehner said in his inaugural address, citing high unemployment, painful health care costs, and a growing national debt now at $14 trillion. "Hard work and tough decisions will be required of the 112th Congress. No longer can we fall short. No longer can we kick the can down the road. The people voted to end business as usual, and today we begin carrying out their instructions," Boehner said Boehner has led House Republicans in opposition to President Barack Obama's policies, notably his overhaul of U.S. health care, which the new speaker has vowed to target with a repeal vote on January 12. As speaker, and backed by Republican committee chairs, he will have powers to shape the agenda in Washington and the White House. However, with Democrats still in control of the Senate, and Obama still holding veto power, the Ohio lawmaker will face challenges in enacting key parts of the Republican agenda.
