On Capitol Hill, Congress has reconvened with Republicans taking control of the House. On Wednesday, outgoing House Speaker, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, passed the gavel to Rep. John Boehner (R-OH), the new House Speaker.

Nancy Pelosi: “I now pass this gavel, which is larger than most gavels here, but the gavel of choice of Mr. Speaker Boehner — I now pass this gavel and the sacred trust that goes with it to the new Speaker. God bless you, Speaker Boehner.”

Soon after, Boehner addressed lawmakers.

John Boehner: “We gather here today at a time of great challenges. Nearly one in 10 of our neighbors is out of work. Healthcare costs are still rising for American families. Our spending has caught up with us, and our debt soon will eclipse the entire size of our national economy. Hard work and tough decisions will be required of the 112th Congress. No longer can we fall short. No longer can we kick the can down the road. The people voted to end business as usual, and today we begin to carry out their instructions.”

In one of its first acts in power, House Republicans are planning to read aloud the Constitution.