What Can Biden Get Through Congress?

摘要

The surprise victories of Democrats in the two Georgia runoffs in early January handed their party the narrowest possible control of the U.S. Senate: a 50-50 split, with Vice President Kamala Harris-who under the Constitution is also president of the Senate-acting as tiebreaker. Because both houses of Congress are now in Democratic hands, President Biden will have more latitude to enact his agenda. In the short term, some of his agenda items may be delayed by the Senate impeachment trial of his predecessor, which will consume much of the chamber's attention. But the Democrats' one-vote majority will make an enormous difference to the president achieving his policy goals. With Chuck Schumer of New York as Senate majority leader, displacing Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Democrats will set the schedule, deciding what measures can be considered for a vote by the full chamber. That will smooth the path to confirmation for Biden's picks for the cabinet and other roles. Although Republicans may prolong debate, they won't be able to nix a nominee unless they can pull at least one Democrat across the aisle.