Turmoil on 1st day of Republican-controlled Congress

Washington

THE Republican-controlled Congress opened the turbulent Trump era in Washington on Tuesday, as the new Senate moved instantly to begin the repeal of President Barack Obama's signature health care law while the House descended into chaos in an ill-fated attempt to gut an independent congressional ethics office.

On a day usually reserved for pomp, constitutionally mandated procedure and small children parading around in fancy dresses, Congress instead pitched itself into partisan battles.

House Speaker Paul Ryan easily won re-election, but not before the embarrassment of having his members defy him by voting to elimin…