US Republicans prepare for battles in the Congress

WASHINGTON - Republicans eagerly geared up for a battle in Congress this week, warning Democrats of an aggressive push to slash spending and an early assault on President Barack Obama's signature health care reform.

With most politicians already eyeing the 2012 presidential election, the United States Congress returns on Wednesday with Republicans in control of the House of Representatives and a slimmed-down Democratic majority in the Senate.

Buoyed by their gains in the November mid-term elections that also saw the grassroots conservative Tea Party movement win its first lawmakers, Republicans are chomping at the bit to try to unravel two years of legislation enacted by Obama's Democrats.