Republicans bolstered as Democrats falter in divided Congress after voters resist big changes
THE US election has scrambled seats in the House and the Senate but ultimately has left Congress much like it began, deeply split as voters resisted big changes despite the heated presidential race.
It is an outcome that dampens Democratic demands for a bold new agenda, emboldens Republicans, and almost ensures partisan gridlock regardless of who wins the presidency. Or perhaps, as some say, it provides a rare opening for modest across-the-aisle cooperation.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi was on track to keep control of the Democratic House, but saw her majority shrinking and her leadership called into question.
Control of the Senate tilted Republicans’ way as they fended off an onslaught of energised challengers, though a few races remained undecided on Wednesday.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch Mcconnell said on Wednesday he was confident “no matter who ends up running the government” they would be “trying to overcome all that and get results”.
One certainty is the upended projections will force a rethinking of polling, fundraising and the very messages the parties use to reach voters in the Trump era and beyond.
By evening, Ms Pelosi had all but declared Democrat Joe Biden the winner, saying House Democrats “will now have the opportunity to deliver extraordinary progress” on party priorities – lowering health care costs, providing jobs through new infrastructure, and other goals.
But the dismal outcome for congressional Democrats put in question the ambitious plans for legislative overhauls pushed by the party, eager for a sweep of Washington government.
Even if Democrats capture the White House and a narrowly split the Senate, Ms Pelosi’s leverage to force dealmaking on her terms will be diminished by her House losses.
If Donald Trump wins another term, his Republican allies – particularly in the Senate – will be likely to feel more comfortable sticking with him after escaping an electoral wipe-out, although they have yet to outline a GOP agenda.
Scott Jennings, a Republican strategist close to Mr Mcconnell, said win or lose, Mr Trump “reorganised the political parties”, turning Republicans, not Democrats, into the party of “working-class” America.
Democrats countered that with Mr Biden on the brink of victory, the mandate for solutions to the coronavirus crisis, faltering economy and other big issues was as strong as ever.