The urgency for him, he said, is the $16 trillion national debt.

In recent meetings of the Republican members of the House, their leader, Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, has assured them that a push on spending reduction lies just ahead, Holding said.

There’s only a small window of opportunity because the debt is so large, Holding said.

“Before too long, we’re going to lose control of interest rates,” he said.

Rates could rise if creditors lose faith in the nation’s ability to pay its debts. And higher interest rates would mean bigger bills.

Holding also said the Republican-controlled House could be expected to push for closing tax loopholes and simplifying the tax code. “That probably would create some revenue,” he said.

A Raleigh native and graduate of Wake Forest University law school, Holding was Helms’ adviser on taxes. Helms later helped him get a job as a U.S. attorney.

That job and working for Helms meant that Holding was often in Washington. He knows the 70 mph, four-hour-plus drive to Raleigh so well, he joked, he could practically drive it in his sleep.

He said he plans to commute on weekends to his home and family. He and his wife, Lucy, are the parents of Beatrice, 12, Alice, 11, and Louisa, 10, straight-A students all three, Holding said, and William, nicknamed Possum, 2.

The children will visit Washington, but it will be for educational purposes, their father said. On Tuesday, they visited Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum; on Wednesday, the Library of Congress; and on Thursday, the floor of the packed House with other families and guests to watch the new session of Congress begin.

Boehner welcomed the new members and their families in a speech.

“You are likely feeling awestruck right about now,” he said. “History runs through here. And now you are among a select few to share in this privilege.”