Robert Galbraith/Reuters

President Obama never had an easy path to winning confirmation for the next head of the Federal Reserve. But he's decided to make it all the more difficult by introducing Janet Yellen at a time when congressional ire has hit new heights—and his opponents are already touting plans to make the nominee's life difficult.

Obama is reportedly planning to send Yellen's name to the Senate Wednesday, asking the chamber to confirm her as the next head of the world's most powerful central bank.

More than most nominees, the pick for Fed director has traditionally been the prerogative of the president, as senators have been reticent to risk the market turmoil that could result from a prolonged battle over the bank's leader. But at a time when Republicans have demonstrated their willingness to use any and all means available to leverage policy concessions, there's no reason to believe that that precedent will be enough to usher Yellen through an easy confirmation.

Indeed, Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has already said he'll use the nomination to look for leverage to pass legislation requiring a deeper audit of the Federal Reserve, a long-time dream of former Rep. Ron Paul, another Republican from Texas, that has become a mainstream goal of the modern GOP.

"That gives the opportunity to leverage," Cruz said this summer when asked about Obama's upcoming Fed nominee. "I certainly hope that, working together, we could force a vote on the Audit the Fed bill."

Yellen's nomination also comes at the nadir of relations between Republicans and the Federal Reserve. Chairman Ben Bernanke was first picked by former President George W. Bush, but his efforts to shock the economy into a stronger recovery have stretched his ties with Republicans well beyond their breaking point.