Republicans enter the 2016 election year with unified control of Congress, but the stark contrast in the styles of House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is likely to push the two legislative bodies down different paths.
Ryan rose to national prominence as the GOP's idea man, nudging the party to adopt sweeping reforms to federal entitlement programs and challenging assumptions about what was politically possible. He has consistently argued that to win elections, Republicans have to offer a bold policy vision that serves as a compelling alternative to the Democrats' agenda.
In contrast, McConnell, who was first elected in 1984, the same day as Ronald Reagan's reelection landslide over Walter Mondale, is a creature of the Senate. When Republicans were in the minority, and as Ryan was pumping out policy papers, McConnell used his mastery of arcane procedural rules to complicate President Obama's legislative ambitions and tie up his judicial and administrative appointments.
Since assuming the leadership of the Senate following Republicans' 2014 victory, McConnell has focused more on creating a functional Senate that avoids major conflicts and passes bipartisan legislation. His aim is to ensure that Republicans are seen as responsible enough to hold the reins of power.
As the business of Congress starts to be overtaken by the election this year, Republicans can choose between two directions.