WASHINGTON — Republicans took control of the U.S. Senate after picking up seats in Ohio and West Virginia, according to Associated Press projections, but there were too many uncalled House races to predict which party would hold that chamber when the new Congress began early Wednesday. Fireplace.

The Montana Senate seat currently held by Democratic Sen. Jon Tester also appears to be shifting toward Republicans, which would likely increase their majority in the upper chamber over the next two years.

The highly competitive Senate races of Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin had not yet been called, potentially further strengthening the GOP majority.

Senate Republican Rep. John Thune of South Dakota, who is running against Texas Sen. John Cornyn and Florida Sen. Rick Scott to become the chamber’s next majority leader, issued a written statement applauding voters’ decision.

“Tonight, with Republicans regaining majority control of the U.S. Senate, we can begin to turn this expensive and reckless chapter of American history,” Thune wrote. “As we await additional results, I remain optimistic that President Trump will succeed, that our majority will be strengthened, and that we can continue to work together to create a safer, more secure country for every American.”

In his own written statement, Cornyn said he was “confident that our new conservative majority can restore our institution to the essential role it serves in our constitutional republic.”

“We will restore the important role of Senate committees and restore the orderly appropriations process,” Cornyn wrote. “We will improve communication, increase transparency, and leverage the wealth of talent at the conference to include everyone’s expertise and views. And we will return the power to the members; “There will be no more backroom deals or forced votes on bills without adequate time for review, debate and amendment.”

According to AP estimates, the newly elected Republican senators include: Bernie Moreno flipped a state seat in Ohio; U.S. Representative Jim Banks crimson wins first Senate campaign in Indiana; John Curtis, guaranteed victory in Utah; and West Virginia Governor Jim Justice turned the chair It’s currently in the hands of Joe Manchin III, as predicted.

Among New Democratic senators Angela Alsobrooks Maryland, New Jersey USA Representative Andy KimDelaware USA Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester and California USA Representative Adam Schiffall defeated GOP opponents in blue states.

How could it turn out?

There were two possible scenarios for the 119th Congress, which was scheduled to begin on January 3, 2025, following the AP’s call for Senate control.

• Democrats flip the House of Representatives, while Republicans hold a majority in the Senate and maintain a divided Congress where each chamber is controlled by the opposing party.

• Republicans maintain their majority in the House of Representatives, and Republicans also control the Senate for unified GOP control of Congress.

Each option would have significant ramifications for Donald Trump’s legislative agenda if he gets the 270 Electoral College votes needed for the presidency, which was likely revealed early Wednesday.

A divided Congress will require Trump to negotiate bipartisan agreements on the legislation he must pass and make concessions with Democrats to move any major policy changes through Congress.

Unified Republican control of Congress would likely mean more movement on legislation, but it would still require most bills to pass the Senate’s 60-vote legislative filibuster.

Senate approvals awaited

The Associated Press is the news organization States Newsroom calls for race calls. decades of experienceHe announced that 27 Senate races will be held as of 3 a.m. on Wednesday.

Republican senators Florida, mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, north dakota, Tennessee, Texas And wyoming He was easily re-elected in GOP strongholds.

Democratic senators ConnecticutOverhead, massachusetts, Minnesota, new mexicoNew York, Rhode Island, Virginia And washington All were re-elected, as was Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent who typically votes with Democrats.

Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., congratulated Alsobrooks on her win and on making history as Maryland’s first Black woman elected to the Senate.

“Angela is no stranger to breaking barriers — and Angela will bring to the Senate the same drive and values ​​she has applied throughout her life to ensure that the freedoms of all Marylanders are protected and every family in her state thrives,” Peters said in a written statement. .

Kim, from New Jersey, will be the Senate’s first Korean American lawmaker in the country’s history.

National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Steve Daines congratulated the re-elected and incoming senators, including Justice, who flipped the West Virginia seat red.

“Jim served the people of West Virginia well as governor by lowering taxes and creating opportunities throughout the state,” Daines said in a written statement. “I know he will continue to do the same in the Senate, and we look forward to having Big Jim and Baby Dog in D.C.”

Control of the Senate is slightly more important to Trump than his party being in charge of the House, as the upper chamber is charged with reviewing and confirming Cabinet secretaries, some key executive branch appointments, judicial nominees and Supreme Court justices.

Unlike the House of Representatives, where lawmakers face re-election or retirement every two years, senators are elected to six-year terms; This means that in a given election year, approximately one-third of the legislature is on the ballot.

This year, 34 Senate seats are up for re-election, 23 held by Democrats and 11 by Republicans.

Race calls thrown into the air

The AP had called 364 of 435 House races as of 3 a.m. Wednesday, but many of the races were still too close to determine the winner.

While incumbent Republicans and Democrats overwhelmingly hold on to their districts, scores of new members have also been elected to open seats. Some of the elected MPs were on their way to making history.

Sarah McBride, for example, was running to become the nation’s first openly transgender person elected to Congress, according to the AP.

McBride secured the Democratic nomination in Delaware’s 1st Congressional District against GOP challenger John Whalen.

The Human Rights Campaign celebrated McBride’s victory.

Kelley Robinson, president of the LGBTQ+ advocacy group, called McBride “a dedicated public servant, a bulldog for his constituents, and someone who represents the interests of everyone he serves,” in a written statement.

“This historic victory reflects not only the growing acceptance of transgender people in our society, driven by the courage of visible leaders like Sarah, but also her dogged work to show that she is an effective legislator who will deliver real results,” Robinson added.

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., won re-electionIt could potentially set him up to remain as his party’s leader if the GOP maintains its majority. Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who will become president if his party wins the House of Representatives again, also managed to be re-elected in the New York region.

A total of 218 seats are needed to control the assembly; but this is the minimum for a parliament where members cannot vote regularly, take long leaves due to illness or injury, and sometimes resign mid-session.

Republican leaders have struggled to pass partisan bills over the past two years with a razor-thin majority currently split 220-212, and Democratic leadership is likely to do so as well if they become a majority.

The nonpartisan Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics wrote in analysis published Monday that “the fight for the House has actually been in a tone all cycle,” and its experts generally expect “the president and the House winner.” It is more likely that it is not the same.

Few of the several dozen House races considered contested between Democrats and Republicans had been called by 3 a.m. Wednesday.

Democrats flipped New York’s 19th Congressional District when Democrat Josh Riley defeated GOP Rep. Marcus Molinaro.

In New Mexico’s competitive 2nd Congressional District, Democratic incumbent Rep. Gabriel Vasquez won against GOP challenger Yvette Herrell.

And Iowa Republican Rep. Zach Nunn clinched re-election in Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District.

Last update 03:13, 6 November 2024