WASHINGTON  - For Congress, 2015 was a year of ideological clashes, showdown votes and harsh words.

And that was just among Republicans.

It was the first year of Barack Obama's two terms when Republicans ran both the House and Senate. That meant a blend of compromise and confrontation - a hallmark of divided government.

Congress enacted bipartisan deals on education, highways, spending and taxes.

But Republicans failed to repeal Obama's health care law or eliminate Planned Parenthood's federal money or block the international agreement curbing Iran's nuclear program.

Overshadowing everything was infighting and upheaval among Republicans.

For months, tea party Republicans battled with House Speaker John Boehner until the Ohio Republican abruptly resigned in September.