The Democratic Party secures its 50th seat in the US Senate and maintains control of the body, achieving a decisive victory for the remainder of the Biden administration’s term.
Four days after the midterm elections, US media reported that Democratic Senator Catherine Cortez Masto narrowly defeated her Republican opponent Adam Laxalt (who was endorsed by former US President Donald Trump) in the key state of Nevada.
In the previous 24 hours, Laxalt was ahead of the “race”, but his difference from the Democratic senator was so small, that the counting of votes had turned into a “thriller” for strong nerves, since the Nevada ballot box meant so much.
Cortes Masto’s re-election brings to 50 the number of Democrats elected to the Senate. Regardless of the outcome of the Dec. 6 runoff for the Georgia seat, Democrats have already secured control of the Senate. And that’s because when the 100-member body is split right down the middle (50 Democrats, 50 Republicans), the vote of US Vice President Kamala Harris is the one that breaks the “Gordian tie” in cases of a tie.
Republicans did not confirm predictions of a “red wave” in the midterm elections, which are traditionally unfavorable for the governing party. However, they will win a majority in the House of Representatives, posing obstacles to the Biden administration.
The Republican majority in the House of Representatives, however, is expected to be smaller than predicted before the midterm elections. NBC predicted a slim five-seat majority, with 220 Republicans to 215 Democrats.
Satisfaction from Biden
From Cambodia where he is for the annual US-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and East Asia Summit, US President Joe Biden did not hide his satisfaction at maintaining control of Senate from the Democrats.
