Arizona’s congressional delegation prepares for new power dynamics as Congress reconvenes Jan. 3

Arizona’s congressional delegation is preparing for a new session that will begin in Washington, D.C., this week with Republicans in control of both the U.S. House and Senate.

Following the congressional swearing-in ceremony on Friday and President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, Republicans will control the presidency and both chambers of Congress for the first time since the beginning of Trump’s first term.

Democratic Rep. Greg Stanton said he is worried about how his Republican colleagues and Trump will wield their power.

“The nominations that the president has put forward for some of the most important positions in the entire United States of America have been very disappointing, so I am very concerned about what the next two years are going to be,” Stanton said.

Gage Skidmore/CC BY 2.0

Arizona Republican Congressman Paul Gosar appeared to validate some of those fears, indicating Republicans intend to support Trump’s plans to purge the federal workforce and go after his perceived enemies.

“We’re going to see accountability come front and personal to this bureaucracy called the swamp in D.C.,” Gosar said.

He added, “When you use the justice system to politicize or to hold a [political person] accountable, be careful, because you might be talking about yourself.”

Gage Skidmore/CC BY-SA 2.0

Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly has spent most of his tenure in a very different environment, with Democrats and Republicans splitting control of the federal government.

But he said he is confident Congress can resist the worst impulses that may come from the White House.

“Obviously, it’s going to be different. The majority controls the legislation that comes to the floor. But my experience in these four years is working together with Republicans,” Kelly said.

The new Congress will convene on Jan. 3.