Battle Lines Form Over Government's Role

House Republicans Draw Fire After Putting Transport Budgets on Notice, Presaging Tough Budget Fight

By JOSH MITCHELL
WSJ

WASHINGTON—House Republican leaders said Tuesday highway and mass-transit programs should no longer be shielded from budget cuts, and immediately drew fire from states, the construction industry and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The reaction offered a preview of the challenges incoming Republican House Speaker John Boehner and his leadership team will face as they start work Wednesday to make good on promises to cut as much as $100 billion from annual federal spending.

The House will formally change hands Wednesday amid pomp and ceremony, as outgoing Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) hands the gavel to Mr. Boehner, a reverse of the transfer four years ago. House members and new Senate members will be sworn in.

On Thursday, Republicans will read the entire Constitution in the House chamber, a nod to tea-party activists who say government has overstepped its constitutional authority.

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