Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH)

Republicans were able to retake control of the Senate, while adding to their margin in the U.S. House. Now comes the hard part: actually governing.

The first order of business for incoming Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) will be to accomplish what has been elusive: pass a budget and move the appropriations bills on schedule.

Given that both men fought hard against the Affordable Care Act, it’s a safe bet that the healthcare reform measure will be targeted. For now, it appears Republican leaders are looking more seriously at undermining specific parts of the law, instead of full repeal.

Possible action could include eliminating the medical device tax; easing a requirement that employers offer full time workers coverage, and changing the definition of a full-time worker from someone who works at least 30 hours a week to someone who works at least 40. However, some Congressional Republicans are already fighting for a full-bore repeal.