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Congress is full of firsts.

Democrat Sarah McBride, who represents Delaware, is the first transgender member of Congress.

While her electoral victory has been celebrated by many, her presence in Washington has also generated controversy. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) introduced a resolution to "ban transgender women from using biological women's restrooms at the U.S. Capitol."

McBride downplayed the move, saying she was not elected to fight about bathrooms" and "will follow the rules" set for members of Congress even if she doesn't agree with them.

In another first, Julie Johnson (D-TX) becomes the first LGBTQ+ member of the House of Representatives from a southern state.

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In the Senate, two Black women will serve simultaneously for the first time in history. Democrats Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland won their elections in November.

While there are several history-making Democrats, its Republicans who control the House and Senate.

Sen. John Thune is taking over for Sen. Mitch McConnell as the Republican leader in the Senate.

One of the first big priorities Congress will tackle is the confirmation of President-elect Donald Trumps cabinet picks.

After the terrorist attack in New Orleans, theres a push to quickly confirm Trumps national security picks.

Congress will also be dealing with Trumps campaign promises, including immigration reform and tax cuts.

New Year's Eve may be about the parties and New Year's Day about football, but the rest of January is very much about American politics, with historic and likely controversial announcements about to take place.

The consequential events begin later this week when the new Congress is sworn in and an election for speaker of the House takes place. While Current Speaker Mike Johnson is favored, it could be controversial again with such a narrow Republican majority.

Next week, the Electoral College is certified, a somber day in Washington following the events of four years ago. Former President Jimmy Carter will lie in state at the Capitol and his state funeral will take place as well.

On January 10 the Supreme Court will hear arguments involving TikTok, the social media app set to be banned on the Jan. 19. Donald Trump will be inaugurated on Jan. 20 with tens of thousands of Americans from around the country expected to travel to Washington for the celebration.

Over the month of January, we will get some confirmation hearings for Trump's most controversial cabinet picks, and it's possible President Joe Biden issues controversial final actions including the possibility of additional pardons.

By the end of January, the first actions of the second term of President Trump will dominate American politics, including potential action on the border and immigration.

As lawmakers on Capitol Hill race to avert a government shutdown, something has become abundantly clear in Washington: the emerging influence of billionaire Elon Musk.

Musk, who has been seen with President-elect Donald Trump on numerous occasions since the election, took to social media this week and contributed in part to helping tank a bipartisan spending bill.

RELATED STORY | Trump appearance at SpaceX launch reinforces Musk's relationship with the president-elect

"Kill the Bill," Musk repeated Wednesday on his social media platform, X.

"One of the worst bills ever written," he added, saying that shutting down the government "is infinitely better than passing a horrible bill."

Musk's political influence is prompting some Democrats in Congress like Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders to question who is really leading the Republican Party.

"Democrats and Republicans spent months negotiating a bipartisan agreement to fund our government," Sanders wrote on X. "The richest man on Earth, President Elon Musk, doesn't like it. Will Republicans kiss the ring? Billionaires must not be allowed to run our government."

Musk's influence on the government spending bill is being viewed by some as a precursor to his larger role in the upcoming Trump administration.

RELATED STORY | Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy bring Trump's DOGE to Capitol Hill

While Musk has not been given a formal official government post, he has been asked to lead the newly-formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The unofficial agency will look at ways to reduce government spending, government regulations, and the federal workforce.

What's making Musk one of the more unique figures in American politics right now isn't just his wealth, which is estimated to be around $400 billion. It's also his reach.

Musk owns the social media platform X and has over 200 million followers the most of anyone else on the planet.

Tucked inside a more than 1,500-page government funding bill is a pay raise for members of Congress.

The average member of Congress earns $174,000 a year with party leaders earning more.

Members of the House of Representatives and Senate have not received a pay raise since 2009, which is why some say a cost-of-living adjustment is overdue.

RELATED STORY | Congress unveils funding deal with more than $100 billion in disaster aid

However, Rep. Justin Golden, a Democrat from Maine, said he would vote against the bill because of the raises.

"Congress should be working to raise Americans' wages and lower their health care costs, not sneaking new member perks into must-pass legislation behind closed doors," he said in a statement.

If the funding bill passes, members of Congress could receive a raise of up to 3.8%, or about $6,600 annually.

Congress has to pass the bill, which also includes $100 billion for disaster relief, before Saturday to avoid a partial government shutdown.

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Pete Hegseth is vowing to fight for his nomination to lead the Department of Defense amid allegations of heavy drinking, misogyny and sexual assault.

Hegseth returned to Capitol Hill on Thursday to speak with senators whose votes he will need to be confirmed.

"This process has been a very good one despite all the noise on the outside," Hegseth said on Thursday on Capitol Hill.

However, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat, told Scripps News on Wednesday that he has spoken with between five and 10 Republicans who oppose Hegseth's nomination. Hegseth can only afford to lose about three Republican votes because of the narrow margin the GOP will hold in the Senate in 2025.

RELATED STORY | Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth declines to answer questions about assault allegations

Hegseth has denied reports of drinking on the job while serving as the president of the nonprofit Concerned Veterans for America. He also said on the "Megyn Kelly Show" that he would not drink if he became the secretary of defense.

"This is the biggest deployment of my life, and there won't be a drop of alcohol on my lips while I'm doing it," he said.

RELATED STORY | With Hegseth under pressure, Trump reportedly considering DeSantis for Pentagon job

Hegseth has said he still has the backing of President-elect Donald Trump who famously does not drink alcohol.

"As long as Donald Trump wants to be in this fight, I'm going to be standing right here in this fight," Hegseth said.

The Associated Press reports that Trump's team is looking at alternatives should Hegseth fail to secure the votes needed to be confirmed. One of those individuals in the running could be Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

In addition to executive experience, DeSantis joined the Navy in 2004 and achieved the rank of lieutenant commander.