Democrats in control
THE Democrats have kept control of the US Senate for two more years, dashing Republican hopes of a wave sweeping them into majority.
The fate of the House of Representatives was still uncertain as the GOP – the US nickname for the Republicans, or ‘Grand Old Party’ – struggled to pull together a slim majority there. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto’s victory in Nevada gave Democrats the 50 seats they needed to keep the Senate.
Her win reflects the surprising strength of Democrats across the US this election year.
Seeking re-election in an economically challenged state that has some of the highest gas prices in the nation, Ms Cortez Masto was considered the Senate’s most vulnerable member, adding to the frustration of Republicans who were confident she could be defeated.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer claimed victory on Saturday night. With the results in
Nevada now decided, Georgia is the only state where both parties are still competing for a Senate seat.
Democratic incumbent Senator Raphael Warnock faces GOP challenger Herschel Walker in a December 6 runoff.
Alaska’s Senate race has advanced to ranked choice voting, though the seat will stay in Republican hands.
Democratic control of the Senate ensures a smoother process for President Joe Biden’s Cabinet appointments and judicial picks, including those for potential Supreme Court openings.
The party will also keep control over committees and have the power to conduct investigations or oversight of the Biden administration, and will be able to reject legislation sent over by the House if the GOP wins that chamber.
If Democrats manage to pull off a win in the House, they would have full control of Congress and another chance to advance Mr Biden’s priorities, which he has said include codifying abortion rights.
The party still lacks the 60 votes in the Senate needed to move many major legislative changes.
Beyond Congress, Democrats won key governors’ races in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania - battlegrounds critical to Mr Biden’s 2020 win over Mr Trump.
Republicans, though, held governors’ mansions in Florida, Texas and Georgia - another battleground state Mr Biden narrowly won two years ago.