Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio, speaks to reporters at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Dec. 12, 2011.(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House returns Tuesday for a session certain to be driven by election-year politics and fierce fights over the size and scope of government.

The holidays and three weeks away from the Capitol have tempered some of the Republican anger over the showdown over the Social Security tax cut and the year-end political debacle. But emotions are still raw for several GOP lawmakers. Their grievances likely will be aired at a House GOP retreat in Baltimore this week.

Republicans who lifted the GOP to the House majority in the 2010 elections emerged from their first year frustrated by the limitations of divided government.

They remain doubtful about accomplishing anything more in 2012 beyond the must-do spending bills and a year-long extension of the Social Security tax cuts and unemployment benefits.

Associated Press
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