by N. Peter Kamer reporting from Washington DC
In the US control of the House of Representatives and Senate is at stake today. Republicans are seen by non-partisan analysts as the favourites to take the House majority. Senate control remains a toss-up, but polls show GOP candidates have made gains in competitive states such as Arizona, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania last week.
Republicans need a net of five seats to regain a majority in the House after two years of Democratic control of the White House and Congress. Democrats currently hold 220 seats, and Republicans 212. Non-partisan analysts think the GOP could pick up as many as 25. The Senate, currently split 50-50 is a toss-up with at least five tight contests. A shift in congressional power would reshape the second half of President Biden’s first term as President. It could trigger GOP-led investigations into his administration and in the past of his son Hunter. It also could affect a range of Biden administration policies, including US support for Ukraine.
The new Congress could include more Republican lawmakers who are allied with former President Donald Trump (‘Make America Great Again’ movement, MAGA) and fewer centre GOP members. Trump is already planning his announcement to be candidate for the next presidential term, 2024-2028. Not only Democrats but also many Republicans are not really happy with that…
