The Republican Party has made history, seizing control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, something that hasn’t happened since 2018. The victory follows huge wins in critical battleground states and a changing landscape among voters, who said the top issues influencing their vote for Congress were the economy, national security, and immigration.

Key Races and Shifting Power

Republican candidates won a pivotal Senate contest in Pennsylvania propelling the GOP over the threshold of majority control. In the House of Representatives, Republicans won several tossup districts to capture a majority that many pundits consider convincing. The victory would grant the GOP authority over pushing its legislative agenda-which includes tax cuts, tough immigration policies, and higher defense spending.

Republican Agenda

Assuming control of Congress, Republicans are likely to press for:

Tax Reform: Proposals that provide tax cuts to help spur economic growth.
Immigration: Calls for stricter border security and asylum reforms.
National Defense: Increases in military and defense spending.
Healthcare: Reforms to reduce government involvement in healthcare; reinforcing Social Security.
Impact on the Biden Administration

The Republican victory represents a significant defeat for President Biden and the Democratic Party. In a divided government, Biden will have difficulty advancing his agenda. While he vowed to work with Republicans, partisan gridlock is the norm.

What’s Next

Setting up a phase of frenzied political battles, particularly now that the 2024 presidential election draws nearer, the GOP victory heralds Republicans who will use their power to shape U.S. policies while the Biden administration tries to defend its legacy. The next couple of years portend a high-stakes environment for Washington politics.