Control of the Senate ... the next challenge for Joe Biden
After defeating Donald Trump, US President-elect Joe Biden will have to fight a major new political battle by January to regain a majority in the Senate, depending on his ability to implement ambitious reforms.
The majority battle in the Senate is due to be decided on January 5 in a double by-election in Georgia.
There are still two seats that have not been decided yet, which could turn the majority to the Democratic camp in the Senate.
No law can be passed without the Senate, which also has the power to approve presidential appointments: ministers, ambassadors, and judges, especially in the Supreme Court.
"Now we're winning Georgia and changing the world," Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Saturday after Joe Biden's victory.
But the challenges are formidable from the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the broad economic aid plan, climate, immigration and diplomatic relations.
The Democrats retained a majority in the House of Representatives.
John Pitney, a professor of political science at Claremont McKenna University in California, said that in a divided Congress, "Biden will have to face reality. There are limits to what he can get."
And the battle in Georgia will be intense.
The counting of votes in Tuesday's battle has not been completed, and Joe Biden is only narrowly ahead.
This state has not voted for a Democratic candidate for the White House since 1992, but under the influence of changing voter opinions and unprecedented efforts to mobilize minority voters, Democrats began dreaming of winning both seats.
They are also counting on the enthusiasm generated by Joe Biden's victory.
- Decisive for Kamala Harris
The Republicans currently have a majority in the Senate after winning 53 out of 100 seats. The battle took place during the election Tuesday.
The Democrats were able to reduce the Republican majority with one vote.
If they grab the two Georgia seats, the bipartisan share will be equal.
If the Senate remains Republican, Joe Biden will have to use his talents for dialogue and negotiation.
The president-elect should deal especially with Mitch McConnell, the Republican majority leader in the Senate, a seasoned tactician.
At the age of 78, after a four-year alliance with Donald Trump, he emerged as the strongman in the Republican camp.
Joe Biden and Mitch McConnell know each other well.
In 2013, when a Democrat was Vice President Barack Obama, they worked to reach an agreement on the budget.
"McConnell will act on his own interest," said Pitney.
Biden wouldn't be given a chance just because of his friendship.
McConnell doesn't work that way. ”
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, another prominent ally of Donald Trump, made it clear this week that he would seek to find a "compromise" with the 46th president of the United States.
He told reporters that Joe Biden "deserves to have his government."
I will tell him who I can approve as Minister of Foreign Affairs or Minister of Justice. ”
"There may be people I cannot vote for if I think they are not qualified or are very extremists," he said, placing restrictions on the nominations that Biden could present.
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