U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton expressed optimism for Speaker John Boehner’s re-election and the GOP’s new leadership on Capitol Hill, as the 114th Congress kicked off its two-year term Tuesday.

“We look forward to the 114th Congress and working with the new Republican leadership in both the House and Senate to push back on the president’s overreaching policies and advance pro-growth solutions that get Americans back to work,” Tipton said in a statement.

Tipton, who voted for Boehner on Tuesday on the House floor, slammed former Senate Majority leader Harry Reid and Democrats in the upper chamber for stalling bills passed by the previous Congress.

“This is the first year that Republicans will control the House and Senate since the president was elected, and the first time that we will be able to have a greater impact by getting legislation to the president’s desk that has previously been blocked in the Senate,” Tipton said.

The third-term congressman said local economic growth and job creation will be his main focus throughout the 114th Congress.

Tipton also will serve on the House Committee on Financial Services and retain his roles with the Congressional Small Business Caucus and the Western Caucus.

Michael Cipriano is a student at American University in Washington, D.C., and an intern for The Durango Herald.