Face The Nation Michele Bachmann, Mike Kelly, Debbie Wasserman, Anthony Weiner FULL VIDEO and TEXT TRANSCRIPT 01/02/11

Harry Smith spoke with Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY), and Rep. elect Mike Kelly (R-PA) on how, with a shift in power, will congress set aside disagreements and work together to solve such issues as deficit reduction, job creation, and turning the economy around.

January 2, 2011 FULL TEXT Transcript:

GUESTS: REPRESENTATIVE MICHELE BACHMANN R-Minnesota, REPRESENTATIVE DARRELL ISSA R-California, REPRESENTATIVE DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ D-Florida, REPRESENTATIVE ANTHONY WEINER D-New York, REPRESENTATIVE-ELECT MIKE KELLY R-Pennsylvania, MODERATOR PANELIST: Mr. Harry Smith CBS News.

This is a rush transcript provided for the information and convenience of the press. Accuracy is not guaranteed. In case of doubt, please check with FACE THE NATION - CBS NEWS (202) 457-4481

HARRY SMITH: Today on FACE THE NATION, power shift. The new Congress, more Republicans, fewer Democrats and the President says he’s ready.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: I’m willing to work with anyone of either party who’s got a good idea and the commitment to see it through.

HARRY SMITH: So who will hold sway? What influence will the Tea Party have on the Republicans? And for Democrats will they be united against Republican rule, or can the two sides work together. We’ll talk with House Democrats Debbie Wasserman Shultz of Florida and Anthony Weiner of New York, along with Republican Tea Party caucus leader Michele Bachman of Minnesota plus Tea Party-backed Representative-elect Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania. Then we’ll hear from Congressman Darrell Issa, the new chairman of the House committee, in charge of government investigation, about his plans. But first, what’s ahead for the new Congress on FACE THE NATION.

ANNOUNCER: FACE THE NATION with CBS News chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer. And now from Washington, substituting for Bob Schieffer, Harry Smith.

HARRY SMITH: Happy New Year, everybody. Thank you all, panel, here in New-- in Washington for joining us and Michele Bachmann joins us this morning from Minneapolis. Well, the 112th Congress set to convene on Wednesday, but I want to go back a little bit and talk about the last workings of the 111th with you, Michele, and in particular that the year ended with this deal on taxes and an extension of unemployment benefits. Would that deal have been made with a Congress that’s about to take convene on Wednesday?

REPRESENTATIVE MICHELE BACHMANN (R-Minnesota): Well, that’s a good question. There was a diversity of opinion on this bill. I voted against it because I was concerned about it not being paid for. It also blows a one-hundred-eleven-billion-dollar hole in the Social Security trust fund. There is no money in that trust fund, so they have to go to the General Treasury where there’s also no money. That means an additional borrowing for that one hundred eleven billion, in addition to the fifty-seven billion for unemployment. So we’re-- we’re continuing to go down the road that we’ve gone down before which is spending money that we don’t have. And that’s really, I think, one of the strongest messages that we took away from the election in November. Stop spending money that you don’t have.

HARRY SMITH: Is the Republican Party in this new Congress, is it a House divided?

REPRESENTATIVE MICHELE BACHMANN: No. I really don’t think it is. I think, we’re very-- I think we’re-- we’re fairly unified, but of course, you know, we-- we won’t all necessarily be agreeing on everything. But I think you see a fairly-- fairly cohesive group that we-- we have a sing-- singularity of purpose and that we want to be able to get the budget in order. I think that’s really job number one, because we want to see the-- the economy shift so that we have a focus on private job creation. FULL TEXT IN PDF FORMAT

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Kelly Ayotte Weekly Republican Address TEXT VIDEO 01/01/11

In the Weekly Republican Address, Sen.-elect Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire explains the Republican agenda for the new year.

She says, "For Republicans, the start of the 112th Congress on Wednesday will mark the opening of a new chapter for our country and our Party. We're keenly aware that the American people are relying on us to change business as usual in Washington -- and we're well-positioned to do just that."

Sen.-elect Ayotte points out three areas in particular Republicans will be working to follow the clear message of voters: "Job one is to stop wasteful Washington spending. As the mother of two children, I'm like parents across the country who worry that our nearly $14 trillion debt threatens America's economic future and our children's future.... Creating the conditions necessary for businesses to add well-paying, sustainable jobs also tops our agenda. With millions of Americans unemployed or under-employed, we must work quickly to jumpstart our economy.... Finally, and most important, America must remain vigilant in the face of continuing threats from terrorists and rogue states.... My husband is an Iraq war veteran and a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air National Guard. As a military spouse, I personally understand the sacrifices that our servicemen and women make to keep us safe. In 2011, we resolve to stand firm with our troops as they continue the war against terrorist networks around the globe."

I’m Kelly Ayotte, the newly-elected senator from New Hampshire.

The arrival of a new year brings a renewed sense of optimism and purpose -- an opportunity to take stock of the year just passed while looking forward to the promise of new beginnings.

For Republicans, the start of the 112th Congress on Wednesday will mark the opening of a new chapter for our country and our party. We’re keenly aware that the American people are relying on us to change business as usual in Washington -- and we’re well-positioned to do just that.

In the House, 87 new Republican members are set to make John Boehner the next Speaker -- putting Republicans in charge of the chamber. And in the Senate, 13 new Republican senators will give us greater say in the Democrat-controlled Senate.

The American people sent us to Congress with clear instructions: make government smaller, not bigger. And stop spending money we don’t have on programs that aren’t working.

It’s now our responsibility to carry out the will of the people.

Americans across the country have been taking time to declare their ‘New Year’s resolutions.’ It’s an opportunity to clarify goals and make productive plans for the future.

Republicans headed to Washington are participating in a similar exercise. As we prepare to start the hard work of governing, we’re doubling our commitment to the principles on which we were elected. These resolutions, reaffirmed at the beginning of a new year, are intended to illuminate the path forward for our country.

Job one is to stop wasteful Washington spending. As the mother of two children, I’m like parents across the country who worry that our nearly $14 trillion debt threatens America’s economic future and our children's future.

To ensure generations to come have even more opportunities than we've had, Congress must get serious about meaningful debt reduction.

This isn’t a Republican problem or a Democrat problem -- it’s an American problem that will require tough decision-making from both parties. Republicans are ready to lead that fight.

Creating the conditions necessary for businesses to add well-paying, sustainable jobs also tops our agenda. With millions of Americans unemployed or underemployed, we must work quickly to jump-start our economy.

The successful Republican effort to prevent any income tax hikes on families and small businesses over the next two years was an important first step.

Coming from a small-business family, I’ve seen firsthand that risk-taking American entrepreneurs -- not the government -- create good jobs. We need to harness common-sense, pro-growth policies to get our economy moving again. By getting Washington out of the way, we can unleash the American entrepreneurial spirit that has made our country the most innovative in the world.

Finally, and most important, America must remain vigilant in the face of continuing threats from terrorists and rogue states. Just over one year since the ‘Christmas Day bomber’s’ failed attempt to bring down a jetliner, we’re reminded that we continue to live in a dangerous world. My husband is an Iraq war veteran and a lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard.

As a military spouse, I personally understand the sacrifices that our servicemen and women make to keep us safe. In 2011, we resolve to stand firm with our troops as they continue the war against terrorist networks around the globe.

The challenges we face are great. But so is the resolve of the American people to face these challenges head-on. America is the greatest nation on Earth -- and we must fight to keep alive her promise.

Thank you for listening. Happy New Year and may God bless America. ###

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