The Democratic Party is able to retain control of the US Senate after the victory of Catherine Cortez Masto, candidate for the midterm elections in the state of Nevada, according to the results published Saturday, November 12 by the American media. By winning one last seat of the remaining two, President Joe Biden’s party reaches the 50 seats needed for a majority, plus can use Vice President Kamala Harris’ vote to break the ties
Four days after a disappointing midterm election for Republicans, Democratic Senator Catherine Cortez Masto won re-election in the swing state of Nevada over a candidate backed by ex-President Donald Trump, news outlets estimate. American television published on Saturday 12 November.
The incumbent narrowly beat Adam Laxalt, a candidate supported by ex-president Donald Trump, according to American television networks. His re-election brings the number of Democrats elected to the Senate to 50 out of 100, which allows Joe Biden’s party to keep control of the upper house of Congress.
The announced victory of incumbent Democrat Mark Kelly in Arizona had already meant that the Senate was split 49-49, leaving two seats to decide between, in Nevada and Georgia. It was enough for the Democrats to win one to keep control of the upper house: under the Constitution, Vice President Kamala Harris has the power to decide between senators, being also the president of the upper house.
The Democrats could still win a seat in the state of Georgia, where a runoff will be held on December 6.
Shy red wave in the House of Representatives
The Republicans did not achieve the expected tidal wave during this election traditionally unfavorable to the ruling party. However, they seem able to regain a majority in the House of Representatives. They could use it to launch numerous parliamentary inquiries into the administration of Joe Biden, or those close to him.
But without the Senate, they will not be able to pass laws contrary to its objectives, particularly on abortion or the climate, nor block its appointments of judges, ambassadors and government officials.
In addition, the expected red wave promises to be much more timid than announced in the lower house: the NBC News channel on Saturday morning projected a frail majority of five seats for the Republicans with 220 elected against 215 for the Democrats.
Nearly 20 polls have still not given their verdict, however, mainly in California.
► To read also: Midterm elections in the United States: relative victory and defeat for the two camps
(With AFP)