WASHINGTON GRIDLOCK

Republicans hold the Senate

Heading into the midterms, the Republics hold a narrow 51-49 lead in the US Senate on paper. In reality it’s even slimmer, given that there are a couple of liberal Republicans who voted with Democrats, and a couple of conservative Democrats, who also flipped on their own party.

Under the US Constitution, if there’s a 5050 split on a vote, the Vice-President has the casting vote, Mike Pence — a Republican — has been called on nine times over the past two years to do just that.

There are 33 Senate seats up for re-election which on paper means all the Democrats have to do is win two more for majority.

Wrong. The political map is far more complex, with 10 Democratic senators facing reelection in states that voted solidly for Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential race. That’s why, in the weeks leading up to the midterms, Trump has been campaigning almost consistently in these key states, knowing that turning those seats to the Republicans makes it far more difficult for the Democrats to take control of the Senate. Holding the Senate means Republicans can fend off any impeachment proceedings and thwart and at least water down or stall any Democratic legislation. This legislative gridlock, however, would mere exacerbate populist frustrations with Washington, and the need to “drain the swamp”.