By MICHAEL FALCONE ( @michaelpfalcone )

NOTABLES

• COULD IT HAPPEN HERE?: Although there are no credible threats inside the U.S. in the aftermath of yesterday's attacks in Paris, ABC's PIERRE THOMAS reported on "Good Morning America" today that police in several major U.S. cities are stepping up security at major French installations. In addition the FBI and Homeland Security officials are planning to hold a special conference call with the nation's top police chiefs to update them about how the attack in Paris was conducted, what weapons were used and guidance about the suspects. WATCH: http://abcn.ws/1HTEodJ

• OBAMA CONDEMNS 'COWARDLY,' 'EVIL' ATTACKS: President Obama swiftly condemned yesterday's attack as a violent act against not just individuals, but the idea of freedom of speech in the civilized world. Obama, who called the killings "cowardly" and "evil," vowed that his administration would help France "hunt down" the perpetrators of the attack that killed at least 12 people and bring them to justice. "For us to see the kind of cowardly, evil attacks that took place today, I think reinforces once again why it's so important for us to stand in solidarity with them just as they stand in solidarity with us," he said. Obama added that he had reached out to President Francois Hollande, calling France one of America's "oldest" and "strongest" allies. http://abcn.ws/1BLRqWO

• ANALYSIS - ABC's JEFF ZELENY: The deadly terror strike in Paris has awakened worries that such a brazen attack could be repeated in the United States. Senator Dianne Feinstein, the top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, told us: "It confirms some of our greatest fears that these attacks are likely to happen first in Europe and then quite possibly over here." The warnings come as Congress will begin debating the Homeland Security budget and the funding of immigration programs. Administration officials say the attack in France is a wakeup call and homeland security funding should not be threatened by a political fight over immigration. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell dismissed any concern, but offered this terse and telling statement: "At the end of the day, we're going to fund the department, obviously."

THE BUZZ

with ABC's VERONICA STRACQUALURSI

BRIDGEGATE INVESTIGATOR OPENS DOOR TO A CHRISTIE-COWBOYS PROBE. The New Jersey Democrat who spearheaded the George Washington bridge lane closing scandal is considering also investigating Gov. Chris Christie's gift-taking from Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. Democratic New Jersey Assemblyman John Wisniewski, co-chairman of the state joint legislative committee that investigated the scandal known as Bridgegate, said on the ABC/ESPN podcast "Capital Games" he is beginning the "discussion of whether that is something that the committee should undertake or another legislative committee ought to undertake that inquiry." According to ABC's SHUSHANNAH WALSHE, New Jersey state ethics codes allow the governor to receive gifts from "relatives or personal friends that are paid for with personal funds," but state legislators cannot receive gifts above $250. http://abcn.ws/1BMT76p LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE OF "CAPITAL GAMES": http://es.pn/1Atdk40

NOTED: CHRIS CHRISTIE AND SCOTT WALKER ARE IN A PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE TWITTER FIGHT. Die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie was slammed on social media for his three-way bear hug with the team's owner Jerry Jones during its win on Sunday. ABC's VERONICA STRACQUALURSI writes Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a Green Bay Packers fan, poked fun at Christie on Twitter. And then it got weird. And Photoshopped. http://abcn.ws/1xGDb6w

HOW TO SPEAK WARREN: TRANSLATING THE SENATOR PROGRESSIVES WANT FOR PRESIDENT. On the second day of the new congressional session, and with President Obama on the road to promote the growing economy, Sen. Elizabeth Warren went to an AFL-CIO national gathering in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to remind the nation's progressives that she's not satisfied. As is typical, Warren, D-Mass., dropped no hints about her own ambitions, in 2016 or beyond. ABC's RICK KLEIN decodes some of her best-received lines that offer hints as to why she's a force in national politics - a threat to Republicans, but also to some of the most prominent faces and voices inside her own Democratic Party. http://abcn.ws/1w19ure

SPEAKER BOEHNER'S 'NEW AMERICAN CONGRESS' DEALS WITH OLD CONTROVERSY. The Republican majority yesterday introduced what it is calling the New American Congress, but on the second day of the legislative session leaders were already doing damage control as House Speaker John Boehner defended Majority Whip Steve Scalise. ABC's JOHN PARKINSON and JEFF ZELENY report that Scalise, the third-highest ranked Republican in the House, is under fire for attending an event organized by alleged white supremacists in 2002. "You get asked to speak to a lot of groups and I think Mr. Scalise made it clear that he made an error in judgment, spoke to a group not clear who they actually were," Boehner said. "I work with him. I know what's in his heart. He's a decent, honest person who made a mistake. We've all made mistakes." http://abcn.ws/1IspHwD

FROM LADY ANTEBELLUM TO HULA DANCERS: 7 WAYS WINNING GOVERNORS ARE PARTYING. The nation's newly elected governors are demonstrating that they know how to throw a party with inaugural celebrations featuring the country's biggest music stars, hula dancers, a scavenger hunt and other surprising events. Already inaugurated Hawaii Gov. David Ige held a lively, colorful ceremony complete with hula dancers, conch-shell calls and ukulele serenades. Texas Gov.-elect Greg Abbott is going big for his inaugural celebration - hiring the country group Lady Antebellum to headline a concert. ABC's VERONICA STRACQUALURSI highlights seven ways some governors are celebrating. http://abcn.ws/1HPpV2c

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

STILL SECRET: 28 PAGES THAT COULD CHANGE OUR UNDERSTANDING OF 9/11. A bipartisan group of congressmen joined with 9/11 family members Wednesday to renew efforts to declassify 28 pages of a joint congressional inquiry into the worst terrorist attack against the United States. The information, redacted by President George W. Bush, is believed to point to allegations that Saudi Arabia may have assisted in financing the 9/11 terrorists. Saudi Arabia has denied any involvement. ABC's TOM GIUSTO notes the former Sen. Bob Graham, D-Fla. Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., and Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass. introduced legislation Wednesday calling on President Obama to declassify the 28 pages. http://abcn.ws/1tPrqei

WHO'S TWEETING?

@shiracenter: . @dccc kicks off recruitment today w/ meeting and new leadership team. @rollcall exclusive: http://roll.cl/1xV2gMT

@GeraldFSeib: Does Elizabeth Warren have to run for president to really move the national debate? Video: http://on.wsj.com/1KnCJPB via @WSJPolitics

@TexasTribAbby: Will John Cornyn endorse a fellow Texan in the GOP presidential primary? http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/07/cornyn-obama-washington-republican/ …

@JamesPindell: Jeb last night: "Do you have a father? Do you have a brother? Are you the same person?" http://bit.ly/1IuHLGu #fitn #iacaucus

@tackettdc: House members push to declassify 9/11 documents… @hillhulse in First Draft http://nyti.ms/1BL4vzv