A key figure in the GOP strategy was expected to be Rep. Ileana
Ros-Lehtinen, the next chairman of the House Foreign Affairs
Committee. Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, a Florida Republican, has questioned an
allocation of $150 million in new U.S. aid to the Palestinian Authority.
Congressional sources said the new House would
also seek to enforce penalties with countries that trade with Iran,
including China and Russia.
"If Obama somehow reaches a deal with Iran, especially one that accepts
a limited enrichment capability for Teheran as the price for greater
verification and inspections, he will face intense blowback from a
Republican House and Republicans in the Senate," Foreign Policy said.
The GOP leadership was also expected to press for a cut in U.S. foreign
aid in fiscal 2012. Rep. Eric Cantor, the new House majority
leader, has called for a separate U.S. allocation for Israel to enable the
reduction in aid to other countries. Cantor and Rep. Kay Granger
were said to be drafting reforms in foreign aid.
The new House majority could also challenge Obama on U.S. nuclear
policy toward Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. Jordan was said to have
opposed a U.S. demand for a ban on uranium enrichment.
The GOP has also been opposed to Obama's reconciliation attempt with
Syria. In the Senate, the Republicans have been preventing the nomination of
Robert Ford as ambassador to Damascus.
"The primary impact [of the midterm elections] will be on domestic
policy, not foreign policy," an administration source told Foreign Policy.
"But that doesn't mean we in the administration won't face significantly
more frustration, delay, and outright pain."
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