From January, Washington will have two competing centres of authority
Any Supreme Court vacancy would therefore become a major confrontation. A Republican White House seeking to protect its programme and a Democratic Congress elected to challenge it. How easily can Donald Trump secure laws, appointments and money? The Senate victory gives Democrats something House control alone could not: authority to reject nominees for federal judgeships, Cabinet posts and ambassadorships. His administration faces investigators
Under Senate rules, most legislation also needs 60 votes to overcome obstruction through a filibuster. Winning a majority therefore gives Democrats much greater power to block Trump than to enact their own programme. Government funding will require bargaining with the opposition. Democrats can seek concessions through spending legislation; Trump can refuse to sign it. That creates opportunities for compromise, alongside the danger of shutdowns and prolonged fiscal confrontations. Trump can veto their bills. Overriding him requires two-thirds of members voting in each chamber.
Democrats will control committees that can summon witnesses, seek documents and examine administration decisions. Hearings could force officials to defend their conduct publicly and reveal information the White House would prefer to withhold. Oversight becomes a continuing pressure.