After a turbulent, but ultimately successful 2015, Congress enters an election year on an upswing. Paul Ryan (R-WI), speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) both have emphasized their commitment to receiving more input from the rank-and-file members of their party.
 
Speaker Ryan has signaled two main goals for 2016: the House should serve as a proving ground for conservative policies that can shape the 2016 election, and the House appropriations process should be normalized.
 
Since this is a presidential election year, Congress will be in Washington ...