Republicans currently hold a 52-seat Senate majority and are aiming to increase it to 54, with GOP candidates leading in Pennsylvania and Nevada. This larger majority would give President-elect Trump more leverage in appointing members of his Cabinet and other government positions.
A narrower Senate majority would have given more power to moderate Republicans like Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, who did not support Trump. However, with 52-54 seats under GOP control, Trump can bypass these centrists to advance his legislative priorities.
The outcome of the House control is uncertain, but early results favor House Republicans. Trump’s allies on Capitol Hill are already discussing fast-tracking confirmations for controversial Cabinet nominees like Richard Grenell and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Senate Democrats acknowledge that they may not have the leverage to block Trump’s appointments next year due to the expected GOP majority. Concerns are raised about the potential impact of Trump’s appointments on the judiciary, especially with the possible retirement of conservative Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito.
Republican lawmakers are pushing for legislation to strengthen border security, “de-weaponize” the federal government, and address career federal employees labeled as part of the “deep state” by Trump. Budget reconciliation may be used to advance these priorities and overcome potential Democratic filibusters in the Senate.
Republicans are also considering repealing parts of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act and pursuing other energy and tax-related reforms. The GOP aims to open federal lands to oil and gas drilling and extract critical minerals for technology production.
Senate Republicans believe they need at least 53 seats to overcome opposition from Trump critics like Murkowski and Collins. Other Trump skeptics in the GOP, such as Senator Bill Cassidy and Senator-elect John Curtis, could also impact the implementation of Trump’s agenda.
Despite a guaranteed 52-seat majority, Senate Republicans are hopeful that David McCormick will win in Pennsylvania, potentially expanding their majority to 53 seats. The Senate GOP remains optimistic about the outcome in Pennsylvania, with McCormick’s campaign confident in securing additional votes from Cambria County. Con Filadelfia ahora prácticamente completada, la carrera está terminada,” escribió en un post.
El líder republicano del Senado Mitch McConnell (Ky.) dijo a los reporteros el miércoles que los líderes del GOP están “esperanzados” de que su mayoría proyectada de 52 escaños “crezca” una vez que se cuenten todos los votos.
“Ciertamente ya sabemos que estaremos en la mayoría. Estamos esperanzados de que pueda crecer un poco más,” dijo.
Al preguntarle si la agenda del GOP se expandiría para volverse más ambiciosa con una mayoría de 53 o 54 escaños, McConnell advirtió que los republicanos seguirían estando limitados por la necesidad de obtener 60 votos para aprobar la mayoría de la legislación a menos que utilicen un proceso especial conocido como reconciliación presupuestaria.
“Escuchamos informes optimistas sobre lo que podría pasar en la Cámara,” dijo sobre la posibilidad de que los republicanos mantengan el control de la cámara baja. “Si vamos a trabajar legítimamente alrededor del filibustero, sería a través de la reconciliación.”
Los republicanos del Senado creen que aún pueden derrotar a la Senadora Jacky Rosen (D) en Nevada, donde está detrás del republicano Sam Brown por casi 4,000 votos.
Brown está adelante con un 47.5 por ciento frente al 47.2 por ciento, con el 93 por ciento de los votos escrutados.
Si Rosen es derrotada, los republicanos tendrían una mayoría de 54 escaños en el Senado en enero.
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