Democrats Retain Control of US Senate?
The Democratic Party retained control of the US federal Senate after incumbent Democratic Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto was re-elected, according to an Edison Research poll based on exit polls.
Cortes Masto is projected to narrowly lead Republican challenger Adam Laxoldt, a former state attorney general who is backed by former President Donald Trump.
But the Republican Party still has a good chance of winning a majority in the lower House of Representatives as ballots are still being counted in Tuesday’s by-elections in many places.
With Masto’s victory, Democrats would have half the votes in the 100-seat upper house of Congress, where Vice President Kamala Harris, who constitutionally presides over the Senate, could sway in the event of a tie.
If in the Georgia runoff on December 6, Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock, defeating his Republican challenger Herschel Walker, is re-elected, then the Democratic Party will have 51 to 49 votes. Thus, the party will gain additional leverage to pass controversial laws, which are approved by a simple majority, while in most cases a majority of 60% is required.
The new composition of the US Senate will be sworn in on January 3, BTA reported.
The results of the election for members of the 435-seat House of Representatives are expected to be announced in a few days to determine which party will have a majority in it.
