help with this long sentence...

President Obama has a tough hand to play. Since the Democrats failed to raise the debt ceiling when they had the chance, in November and December 2010, his decision not to fight the Tea Party Congress and risk defeat in trying to get a bigger debt reduction deal with both spending cuts and tax hikes is understandable, though the agreement to raise the debt ceiling doesn’t create more jobs now or do much to solve the long- term debt problem.

What does the phrase "fight the Tea Party Congress" mean here? Does it mean that President Obama dose'n want to act against the congress for it is under the influence of the Tea Party?
look at this sentence:
his decision not to fight the Tea Party Congress and risk defeat in trying to get...
Does it mean "his decision not to fight the Tea Party Congress and his decision not to risk defeat in trying to get..." Or does it mean "his decision not to... and to risk defeat in trying..."

This sentence is rather confusing, who can help me explain it? Many thanks!