WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden’s agenda, from abortion rights to climate change and more, will largely be blunted in the new Congress, with his party’s grip on Capitol Hill loosening for the first time since taking office

With a fractured 51-seat majority in the Senate and his party in the minority in the House of Representatives, Biden will find himself with fewer allies in the legislative branch. Moderate lawmakers who were defeated or retired will exit Congress this week, and strident conservatives who have committed to blocking Democrats' legislative priorities will gain power.

House Republicans will have no appetite for Biden campaign promises such as an assault weapons ban, federal abortion rights protections, criminal justice reforms and voting rights legislation

A divided Congress will keep the government functioning, said Scott Jennings, a GOP strategist who worked as an aide to Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and in the White House for President George W. Bush