Balance of power: Control of Congress up for grabs for Republicans and Democrats in 2024 election

The race for control of Congress comes with seats in the House and Senate that could determine whether Republicans or Democrats hold the majority in November.

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

Heading into this year’s elections, Republicans hold the majority in the House, while Democrats and independents who caucus with Democrats hold the majority in the U.S. Senate.

What if Republicans gain control of the House and Senate?

If Republicans were to gain 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 key legislation he passed during his first term in office — before for it to expire at the end of 2025, according to the data. The Hill, a political news site.

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Republicans may also seek to repeal or limit some or all of the clean energy incentives in President Joe Biden’s Inflation Relief Act.

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

What happens if the 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 regains the House in November, the Hill reported.

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Another priority for Democrats if they win Congress is to reduce 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 Disclosure Act, which would require companies that spend money in elections, including super PACs and advocacy groups classified under section 501(c)4 of the tax code, to disclose donors who have given $10,000 or more during a cycle election, Hill noted.

What happens if power remains divided?

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

Although the Chamber and Senate are equal in the way they operate, only the House can initiate tax and fiscal legislation. And only the Senate can draft legislation related to presidential nominations and treaties. According to USA.gov, the House processes legislation through a majority vote, while the Senate does so through deliberation and debate before voting.

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

More if power remains divided in Congressthis will make it difficult 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.

What places are there to take?

in the house 435 seats will be open for election. Ballotpedia noted that all six non-voting members of the House are also running for election.

According to Ballotpedia, 33 Senate seats are up for regular election in 2024 — 10 seats held by Republicans, 19 held by Democrats and four held by independents who caucus with Democrats.

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

The other special election is 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. Feinstein’s Senate seat is also open to regular elections. on November 5, 2024.