GOP looks to H.R. 1 to set session tone

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 3 (UPI) -- The new U.S. House of Representatives Republican majority has a chance to set the tone for the session when it introduces its first formal piece of legislation.

Speaker-apparent John Boehner of Ohio and his Republican leadership have several options to consider for the body of "H.R. 1" when they decide which priorities they'll champion in the opening days of the 112th Congress gaveling in Wednesday, The Hill reported.

The party has made no secret it plans hold a vote that would seek repeal of the healthcare reform law sooner rather than later. Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., incoming House Energy and Commerce Committee chairman, said a vote would come before President Obama's State of the Union address in late January.

Republicans also said they want to cut spending and so far have kept festivities heralding their takeover of the House to a minimum -- a nod to the sense of thriftiness the GOP thinks voters want in Washington.

Boehner said last month he planned to slash budgets for all House members -- himself included -- by 5 percent. Such a move could help set the tone of "austerity" Boehner reportedly is seeking to set with his new majority, The Hill said.