In the News

A new year and a new Congress.

On Thursday, the 116th Congress gaveled into session with some new, familiar faces.

House Democrats took control and Nancy Pelosi regained the gavel to become the next speaker.

The first major challenge before this Congress is ending the government shutdown as President Trump continues to demand billions of dollars to build a border wall.

Standing outside of the capitol in Washington on Thursday, Congress the new class was sworn in and members immediately began digging into what the last Congress couldn't finish.

Among the new faces, a Jasper businessman who is now starting his career as a U.S. Senator.  Sen. Mike Braun joined his fellow Republicans working on a deal to reopen the federal government.

"At this point in time, this is going to be longer than what it should take because I think the other side is basically saying they don't want to do anything other than what currently is happening,” said Sen. Braun. “I think that's frustrated President Trump and any of us who believe that we've got to promote legal immigration."

Although not a new face in Washington, Rep. Brett Guthrie from Kentucky said he hopes this new group will find the compromise that the former congress couldn't.

"I think there's some opportunity to fix some real issues within our immigration system and secure the border at the same time,” said Rep. Guthrie. “Instead of saying ‘you want 5, we want 1.6,’ let's just split the difference. Let's get some real changes."

Rep. Larry Bucshon of Indiana is also optimistic that both sides can come to an agreement.

"I believe that based on my visit to the border, which I did a couple months ago and what border control agents are telling us is certain areas of the border we need improved physical barrier,” said Rep. Bucshon. “I think the Democrats realize that also but it's a political issue."

Once the government does reopen, other local lawmakers say perhaps the most pressing issue before this new Congress is healthcare.

"If we can't come to a compromise on a Obamacare repeal which it doesn't look like that's going to happen certainly we can pick different parts of healthcare beginning with prescription drug pricing,” said Rep. James Comer.

Some of the other main issues local lawmakers tell us will be tackled this year is spending and infrastructure.