In a roundup of news stories about Congress today, two stories were about Republicans warning Democrats about pushing through their agenda in the next Congress.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) warned Democrats today against preventing Republicans from offering amendments on the floor and making labor legislation a top priority in the 111th Congress.

Just one day after Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) won the chairmanship of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Republicans are seeking assurances that he won’t use his new position to push legislation that would grant California and other states the right to regulate greenhouse gases from automobiles.

Now, I understand there are some legitimate concerns about one party pushing through legislation. Legislation designed solely to cement the party's position in power or to remove checks - such as completely removing the ability to offer amendments, especially when you should be able to easily vote down the ones you don't like - would be something I'd genuinely worry about. But Republicans making threats to Democrats about passing policies that are more or less part of the platform? After this past election, I'm not quite sure what the Republicans think they have to back up their threats. Although I'm fairly sure the Democrats are capable of capitulating.