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Balance of power: Control of Congress is at stake for Republicans and Democrats in the 2024 election

Balance of power: Control of Congress is at stake for Republicans and Democrats in the 2024 election

FILE – President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress in the House of Representatives at the U.S. Capitol on March 7, 2024 in Washington, DC (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

With seats in the House and Senate, the race for control of Congress will likely determine whether Republicans or Democrats have a majority in November.

A total of 468 seats in Congress will be up for election on November 5, 2024.

Heading into this year’s election, Republicans hold a majority in the House of Representatives, while Democrats and independents who align with Democrats hold a majority in the U.S. Senate.

What happens if Republicans gain power in the House and Senate?

If Republicans win control of the House and Senate, party leaders would work to extend the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 – former President Donald Trump’s signature legislation passed during his first term – before it will expire at the end of 2025 the Hill, a political news site.

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Republicans could also seek to repeal or limit some or all of the clean energy incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act passed by President Joe Biden.

The party could push for funding for a new border security initiative that could include completing Trump’s signature border wall and potentially cutting funding for parts of the government.

What happens if Democrats gain power in the House and Senate?

With control of the House and Senate, Democrats will work to restore legal protections for abortion access that were struck down by the Supreme Court in 2022.

The party will work to bypass the Senate filibuster to pass voting rights legislation if it retains control of the Senate and wins back the House in November, the Hill reported.

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Another priority for Democrats as they gain power in Congress is to contain the impact of the Supreme Court’s 2010 decision in Citizens United v. FEC, which allowed corporations and outside groups to spend unlimited money on elections .

Democrats support the Disclose Act, which would require companies that spend money in elections, including super PACs and interest groups under Section 501(c)4 of the tax code, to disclose donors who gave $10,000 or more during an election cycle Hill noted.

What happens if power remains divided?

If power in the House and Senate remains divided between Democrats and Republicans after the 2024 election, getting things done in Congress could become more complicated as there are policy changes that require congressional action in government.

Although the House of Representatives and Senate Because representatives are equal in their functioning, only the House of Representatives can initiate tax and revenue-related legislation. And only the Senate can legislate on presidential nominations and contracts. According to USA.gov, the House of Representatives processes legislation by majority vote, while the Senate does so through deliberation and debate before voting.

A split in the House and Senate could also impact the ability to pass major legislation and make it difficult for lawmakers from both parties to agree on fiscal measures.

Furthermore, if Power in Congress remains dividedThis will make it challenging for this year’s president-elect, whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump, to advance his legislative agenda and appoint Cabinet and staff members to key government positions.

Which places are available?

In the house, There are 435 seats up for election. Ballotpedia noted that all six non-voting members of the chamber are also up for election.

According to Ballotpedia, 33 Senate seats are up for regular election in 2024 – 10 seats will be held by Republicans, 19 by Democrats and four by independents caucusing with Democrats.

Two special elections are scheduled for November 5, 2024. Ballotpedia explains that a special election will be held to fill the final two years of the six-year term Ben Sasse (R) was elected to in 2020.

The other special election is intended to fill the remainder of the six-year term that Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) was elected to in 2018. Feinstein died on September 29, 2023. The Senate seat Feinstein held is also up for regular election on November 5, 2024.