tam tamerlin. edward brook heralded by both parties about as a trailblazer served as a republican in the senate for 12 years starting in 1967. he was also the first african-american elected as a state s attorney general. president barack obama express his sadness at the news of brooke s passing and called brooke someone who led an extraordinary life of public service. after a wildly unproductive 2014 u.s. lawmakers returned to washington this tuesday for the new year. this time around republicans will lead the senate and they have much on their plate. here s cnn s aaron mcpike. reporter: republicans may be starting out the year in a weaker position than they had hoped with these two controversies but they are still prepared to fight the president