Republicans control both chambers of the U.S. Congress and have a combative but strategic approach toward governing, reports Business Insider.

With an eye on the 2016 presidential election, Republicans have clear strategy:

  • Republican House and Senate leaders will move forward GOP legislative priorities popular with the American public
  • Popular legislation could earn an good number of Democratic votes to send to President Barack Obama
  • They will work hard to show they are the best party to run the country

Four top legislative priorities that Republicans will look to act on:

1. Keystone XL Pipeline. Republicans want to pass legislation that would allow the pipeline to bring oil from Canadian and North Dakota oil fields to Gulf Coast refineries. The Obama administration has repeatedly delayed passage for three years.

2. Obamacare. The Republicans repeal of the Affordable Care Act will likely be passed next year.

3. Corporate-tax reform. Republicans believe a revision of the corporate-tax code will boost economic growth.

4. Immigration. A Republican House and Senate would pass immigration legislation, according to former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Republican strategists have predicted legislation would be more about a "secure border" than a complete revamping of the immigration laws.

Republicans want to force Obama either to veto popular legislation or accept it without the safety net of a Democratic Senate. Obama has vetoed only two bills since taking office.

"We want to get things in front of the president that define him and his party. Harry Reid has protected him. We want to force him to make a choice," a Senate aide told Business Insider, referring to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

Yahoo News reports that President Barack Obama is eager to hear Republican ideas and said, "It's time for us to take care of business."

Republicans also picked up 14 seats in the House of Representatives with 16 races still in progress. The GOP currently holds a 243-176 House majority.