Washington's new era of divided government begins Thursday as Democrats seize control of the US House, aiming to serve as a check on Donald Trump's disruptive presidency at least until the 2020 election.

Battle-tested Nancy Pelosi will in all likelihood win the gavel as speaker of the House of Representatives, a dramatic return to national power for the California Democrat who made history a dozen years earlier as the first woman to lead the chamber.

She will take command during a period of American political upheaval, and with a caucus riding high after a very strong midterm election showing last November.

Thursday brings an end to Trump's one-party rule in Washington, a massive boost for Democrats who felt deflated after Trump's 2016 victory.

Progressives will be eager to push back with greater effect against an administration they believe has overstepped its authority and abused power in the nearly two years since Trump's inauguration.

They will have that opportunity, as congressional panels will be led by chairmen who have pledged to probe topics such as Trump's income taxes, his firing of attorney general Jeff Sessions, and the president's ties to Vladimir Putin.

Incoming chairpersons have signaled that Trump will face a barrage of probes that could bog down a White House already besieged by Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia collusion probe, draining energy from the administration's agenda and foiling Trump's message.

"It's on," Democrat Hakeem Jeffries, a new member of House leadership who is seen by some as a potential future House speaker, tweeted Wednesday.

"Tomorrow, we seize the majority. Then, we pass legislation to end reckless

Related Links
Democracy in the 21st century at TerraDaily.com

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

New Brazil leader Bolsonaro targets crime, leftwing 'ideology'
Bras�lia (AFP) Jan 1, 2019
Brazil's new far-right President Jair Bolsonaro declared a crusade against crime, corruption and leftwing ideology as he took office Tuesday for a four-year term at the helm of Latin America's biggest nation. In his first public speech wearing the presidential sash, Boslonaro said Brazil will "start to free itself of socialism" and "political correctness," breaking with policies brought in under decades of leftist rule. The 63-year-old former paratrooper and veteran lawmaker received swift congr ... read more