House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, enters the House of Representatives chamber, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, after surviving a roll call vote in the newly convened 113th Congress. He is escorted by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Va., House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif., House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy of Calif., and House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer of Md. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, enters the House of Representatives chamber, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, after surviving a roll call vote in the newly convened 113th Congress. He is escorted by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Va., House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif., House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy of Calif., and House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer of Md. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
In this photo provided by the Office of the Governor of New Jersey, Gov. Chris Christie speaks at a news conference at New Jersey's State House on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, in Trenton, N.J. Christie blasted fellow Republican John Boehner for the House Speaker's decision Tuesday to delay a vote on Superstorm Sandy relief and says the inaction is "inexcusable." Republican Rep. Peter King of New York on Wednesday said Boehner has promised votes to aid victims of Superstorm Sandy by Jan. 15. (AP Photo/New Jersey Governor's Office, Tim Larsen)
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif., front row, center, poses with female House members on the steps of the House on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, prior to the officially opening of the 113th Congress. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Re-elected presidents know all too well that second terms can be treacherous. Returning Republican congressional leaders may find the next few years won't be a picnic for them, either.
As the 113th Congress convened Thursday, both House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky were drawing heat from conservatives for supporting the "fiscal-cliff" deal.
Still, Boehner was easily given another two-year term as speaker in the still GOP dominated chamber ? despite a few really bad days.
The Ohio Republican had been forced to the sidelines as McConnell and Vice President Joe Biden negotiated the compromise Congress sent President Barack Obama on New Year's Day to avoid a cliff of sudden tax increases and spending cuts.
Then, his postponement of a $60 billion aid package for states pummeled by Superstorm Sandy angered both sides. Boehner now has scheduled an initial vote for Friday.
"We're sent here not to be something, but to do something," Boehner said in his acceptance speech. "Or as I like to call it, doing the right thing."
McConnell, who stays Senate minority leader, has drawn praise for his negotiating skills on the "fiscal-cliff" agreement. But his role was denounced by Kentucky tea-party factions and other conservatives ? and could prompt a re-election challenge from the right in 2014.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., are also keeping their jobs.
The "fiscal-cliff" deal is something of a hot potato for both parties. Both found parts to criticize.
While Boehner voted for it, he didn't speak on its behalf during House debate.
And even though Obama pushed the deal hard, it turned out to be a little hands-off for him as well. Literally.
Vacationing in Hawaii, he signed it Wednesday evening ? but with an autopen, a mechanical device that copies his signature.
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