Lame-Duck Session

Six Weeks Out. When Congress meets after an election, but before the end of its term, it is known as a lame-duck session. In some instances, congressional leadership will push to pass legislation during a lame-duck session if it feels it cannot in the new Congress — often due to a change in who controls one or both chambers. With Republicans taking back the House in the midterm elections, Democrats are rushing to tackle several legislative priorities before the clock runs out — when the new Congress takes office on January 3, 2023. Over the next month and a half, Democratic leaders hope to have a productive lame-duck session, hitting topics like the federal budget, election laws, and social policies.

Recent Parallels. Following the “red wave” in 2010, when Republicans took over the House, Democrats passed several significant bills in the lame-duck session, including the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” — a policy about LGBTQ soldiers in the military. After Democrats won back the House following the 2018 elections, Republicans similarly approved key legislation, passing the First Step Act and reauthorizing the farm bill. With the looming threat of a change in congressional power, these sessions are often the most productive meetings of Congress — over the past decade, more than a quarter of passed legislation has occurred during the lame-duck sessions.

Government Spending

Funding Bill. In September, President Biden signed a stopgap funding measure through December 16. With that deadline rapidly approaching, Congress must pass another bill to avert a government shutdown. Previously, lawmakers of both parties have used the looming threat of a shutdown to try to extract policy concessions from the opposition. After House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) suggested a Republican-controlled House would look upon funding for Ukraine with more scrutiny, Democrats may leverage the funding bill to attempt to secure more assistance in the lame-duck session. Lawmakers can either pass an omnibus spending agreement for the next fiscal year or another short-term measure — a continuing resolution — and revisit the issue later.

Debt Ceiling? Perhaps the most notable potential change regarding government spending is with the debt ceiling — a limit Congress sets on how much money the U.S. government can borrow to pay its financial obligations. While failing to fund the government results in a shutdown, failing to lift the debt ceiling would result in a default. Allowing the United States to default would be catastrophic, so lawmakers generally raise the debt limit without too much issue. However, some Democrats worry Republicans will try to leverage the cap to force spending cuts, and the move is not without precedent. So, concerned Democrats suggest Congress should preemptively lift the debt ceiling — or remove it altogether. However, such a move does not have a clear majority of support and is competing with other budget priorities that must pass, making it unknown if the leadership will call a vote on the measure.

Electoral Reform

Counting the Votes. Following presidential elections, Congress meets in January to certify the Electoral College vote count. After the 2020 elections, former President Donald Trump and some members of his team advanced a legal theory that suggested the Vice President — who presides over the joint session of Congress — could unilaterally reject electors from swing states, alleging widespread voter fraud. Many Republican lawmakers also objected to certain states’ certification, similarly trying to remove their votes from the count. Under these scenarios, where no presidential candidate would receive the required 270 electoral votes, the House of Representatives would decide the election — an outcome likely to favor the former President in the Republican-controlled chamber. 

A Proposed Change. While Pence ultimately refused pressure to toss swing-state electors and several lawmakers’ objections failed, the incident sparked concerns among some about the obscure law governing the process — the Electoral Count Act. In response, some members of Congress have proposed reforms to the legislation, clarifying the vice president’s role in the process as purely ceremonial and raising the threshold for objections to the count. While the House passed a bill to that effect earlier this year, the Senate hopes to approve its bipartisan version — backed by both the Majority and Minority Leaders — during the lame-duck session.

Marriage Legislation

Respect for Marriage Act. In the aftermath of the Dobbs decision, a concurring opinion from Justice Clarence Thomas sparked concerns among Democrats that the Supreme Court may reconsider some of its prior rulings on same-sex or interracial marriage. Those fears spurred Democratic lawmakers to seek a bill enshrining protections for those unions in federal law. Dubbed the “Respect for Marriage Act,” a bipartisan group of lawmakers worked together to craft a bill which could pass. In July, the House approved it with a bipartisan 267-157 vote. However, in mid-September, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) delayed a vote on the bill until after the midterms when negotiators asked him for more time to secure support — due to the filibuster, the legislation needs at least 10 Republican senators to back it. 

Last week, the bill overcame a procedural hurdle in the Senate with 62 votes — a sign the legislation might have the support it needs to avoid a filibuster. If the Act passes in the Senate, the amended version will go back to the House and, if approved, head to the President.

The List Goes On

Others. While already adding up to an extensive laundry list, lawmakers are pushing for a host of other votes in the lame-duck session. Congress will likely take up the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act soon — an annual defense policy bill. While the measure will almost certainly receive bipartisan support, some members could try to add amendments to the legislation, such as provisions punishing OPEC for cuts in oil production. Some Democrats are also pushing for Congress to take up legislation regarding Dreamers — undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children — in the lame-duck session. Also, Senate Democrats are eager to continue the confirmation of  Biden administration appointees and will likely approve several judges and agency heads in the next few weeks.

Still, with the 60-vote filibuster threshold in the Senate, other key Democratic priorities — such as passing legislation codifying Roe v. Wade — have no real path forward in the lame-duck session. Regardless, the administration only has six weeks left of guaranteed Democratic control in Washington. What priorities Democrats choose to spend that limited time on ultimately remains to be seen.

The Campaign Starts

The Announcement. On Tuesday, former President Donald Trump announced his long-anticipated third presidential bid from his Florida home. Kickstarting his speech, Trump declared: “Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests and my fellow citizens, America’s comeback starts right now.” The 76-year-old is the first Republican to announce a 2024 presidential campaign in a historically early debut. Only a handful of defeated presidents have launched bids to return to the White House, and only one — Grover Cleveland — has ever successfully done so.

Reactions from the Left. Democrats roundly panned the former President’s announcement. For those on the Left, Trump is the initiator of the movement they have fought so hard against. They cite his loss in the 2020 election as evidence that the American people reject him and vow to replicate those results should he win the nomination again. These critics also say the former President’s speech was laced with falsehoods, accusing him of purposefully misrepresenting his record.

Divide on the Right. Trump’s announcement comes one week after Republicans underperformed expectations in the midterm elections, something he has received some blame for on the Right. Reportedly, some Republicans had urged the former President to delay his campaign launch. Many critics on the Right believe a new candidate would fare better in the national debate, pointing to success in states like Florida. However, Trump’s allies maintain that he is the most popular figure in the GOP. They cite his endorsement rate as evidence of his continued strong influence in the Republican Party.

The move has also sparked debate among Republicans about its potential impact on the runoff for U.S. Senate in Georgia next month between incumbent Senator Raphael Walker (D) and his Trump-endorsed challenger, Herschel Walker (R). In the 2021 Georgia runoffs, some critics argued Trump’s claims of widespread voter fraud depressed Republican turnout, leading Democrats to victory and the Senate majority. Many detractors suggest Trump’s announcement could discourage moderate Republicans from coming out for Walker and draw attention and funds away from the crucial race. Supporters claim Trump will motivate Republican voters and could help notch a notable win for the GOP.

Announcement Impact

Clearing the Field? Some have argued that Trump’s early announcement is an attempt to crowd out the primary field. These observers argue the former President’s influence over the GOP is waning as voters begin turning to other potential presidential candidates. One such figure — Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) — has drawn increasing chatter about a suspected presidential run and emerged as a seemingly strong alternative following the midterm elections after crushing his Democratic opponent in a traditional swing state. As recent polling seems to indicate DeSantis could have a viable path to the nomination — even in a field with the former President — some say Trump hopes to coalesce support before the Governor can launch a challenge.

Ongoing Investigations. Others also note that the former President’s comeback bid comes amid several legal probes investigating alleged wrongdoing. Traditionally, federal law enforcement agencies avoid legal actions that could impact elections, fearing the appearance of improper involvement. Should Trump be successful in his attempt to take back the White House, he would have many more tools to fight the probes than he does as a private citizen.

Major Speech Points

Foreign Affairs. Much of Trump’s return speech focused on foreign affairs. The former President sharply criticized the Biden administration for what he argues are significant policy failures. He cited Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, North Korean missile tests, and Chinese aggression toward Taiwan as key examples of these perceived missteps. Trump argued that these issues stemmed from a global perception of President Biden as weak and vowed to project an image of strength should he return to the Oval Office.

Talking Up Trump. During the speech, Trump also touted his administration’s agenda and highlighted his endorsement successes. The former President highlighted several policies he will make part of his campaign. This agenda includes pushing for a constitutional amendment limiting how many terms individuals can serve in Congress. He announced plans to permanently ban campaigns from receiving taxpayer funds and impose a lifetime ban on former lawmakers and Cabinet members from becoming lobbyists. Trump also announced several proposed election law changes, including requiring voter ID, eliminating early voting, and mandating paper ballots for elections. The former President attacked Critical Race Theory, vowing to cut federal funding to any school that teaches it. In one of his most notable proposals of the night, Trump said he would push for legislation to ensure drug dealers receive the death penalty. Among these significant promises, the former President also said his administration would plant an American flag on Mars.

Misplaced Missile

Facts on the Ground. On Tuesday, Russia unleashed a barrage of missile attacks across Ukraine, plunging much of the nation into darkness as the strikes hit crucial energy infrastructure. Amid the blitz, Russian-made projectiles hit the Polish town of Przewodow, a village that sits on the border of Ukraine, killing two civilians. The incident could mark a pivotal moment in the war in Ukraine, threatening to plunge much of the world directly into the conflict. 

Article 5. Poland is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), an international military alliance of 30 nations. The pact includes a clause known as Article 5 that says an attack against one member state is an attack against all member states. This provision says that NATO countries can use force against the aggressor in response to such an event. Under this collective defense agreement, if Russia intentionally launched the missiles on Polish soil, Poland could trigger Article 5 and bring the entire alliance into direct conflict with Russia. U.S. and European officials have stressed that investigations into the incident are ongoing. Since the organization formed in 1949, there has been only one instance of the Article’s use — following the attacks on September 11, 2001, the group invoked the clause, and NATO forces subsequently deployed to Afghanistan.

NATO Involvement. In the immediate aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, many expressed concern about whether the conflict could devolve into an outright war between NATO and Russia. After all, the whole point of the collective security arrangement was to dissuade such an event from ever occurring. Ukraine has faced significant delays in its long-held ambition of joining the organization, with many international relations experts claiming member states believed allowing the nation to join could provoke Russian aggression. In response to its invasion, NATO activated its Response Force — thousands of multinational, high-readiness troops — for the first time. The bloc deployed forces to its eastern members, including those directly bordering Russia. Throughout this year, the alliance has even begun adding two new members — Sweden and Finland. These incidents have sparked questions about what it would look like if Russia triggered a full-fledged activation of the pact.

Responses

G20. News of the attack came to many world leaders attending a Group of 20 (G20) Summit in Bali, Indonesia. The G20 is an international forum of the world’s largest economies. Western nations pushed for the group to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and repeatedly voiced concerns about potential nuclear threats. Even outside the West, leaders of countries typically more friendly to Russia — including Chinese President Xi Jinping — have said the threats are unacceptable. In a video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy echoed those worries, pushing attendees to economically and diplomatically isolate Russia. 

Denial. The Russian Defense Ministry denied being behind “any strikes on targets near the Ukrainian-Polish border,” saying that photos of purported damage “have nothing to do” with Russian weapons. It is unclear if the missiles came from Russia and if they were supposed to hit Poland. NATO and Polish statements regarding the incident used language suggesting they are not currently treating the blast as an international Russian act. On Tuesday night, President Biden said he believed it is “unlikely” the projectiles were fired from Russia, although he stressed the information is preliminary.

Polish Next Steps. While Poland appears unlikely to invoke Article 5 without clear evidence of a deliberate Russian attack, the nation has taken other actions in response to the strike. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki called an emergency meeting of the nation’s national defense and security council. Also, the country is reportedly weighing invoking Article 4 of NATO’s founding treaty, which allows members to bring an issue of concern to the alliance’s political decision-making body. Such a move would allow member states to meet and discuss how to respond to the incident. In its 73-year history, the organization has only invoked Article 4 seven times, most recently when several states used it to hold meetings on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The invocation does not carry military obligations, but deliberations could lead to joint NATO action.

Use of Nukes. Amid the frenzy over whether the incident could lead to a direct NATO-Russia conflict, some worry it could also increase the risk of Russia using nuclear weapons. Russian officials have repeatedly flirted with the possibility of escalating the Ukraine conflict beyond conventional forces. After Russian-occupied portions of eastern Ukraine voted to join Russia — many nations decried these referendums as shams — Russia officially annexed the four regions. Some experts warned the move could lead Moscow to declare attacks to reclaim the territory were direct assaults on it and thus required a nuclear response. Still, many international leaders have criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for suggesting he may use nuclear weapons, and he has since downplayed some of his threats. Russia using nukes would certainly be a pivotal point in the conflict in Ukraine and would likely escalate global tensions to heights not seen since World War II.

Democrats Retain Control

Battle for the Majority. Last Wednesday, in our breakdown of the midterm elections, we covered three key Senate races that could determine which party took the majority in the chamber — Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada. All three have Democratic incumbents, and either party needed to win at least two of the three to take control of the Senate. While Georgia headed to a runoff, the other two states seemed poised to give a split decision, with a Democrat leading in Arizona and a Republican leading in Nevada. Under that scenario, the Senate’s fate would rest once again in Georgia, undecided for weeks. 

Southwest Shift. Since our initial coverage, observers have called both southwestern states for Mark Kelly and Catherine Cortez Masto, their respective incumbent Democratic Senators. These calls leave the Senate in Democratic hands, as they hold at least 50 seats in the chamber and have Vice President Kamala Harris as a tiebreaker. Should Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA) beat his opponent Herschel Walker (R) in the runoff next month, Democrats will expand that majority.

Senate Leadership Debate. Republicans’ disappointing showing across battleground Senate races has left Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) in the hot seat with some members of his caucus. Some conservative Senators are calling on the GOP to delay its leadership vote in the chamber — slated for next week — where Republican senators would vote on powerful positions within their party. Former President Donald Trump has even weighed in, slamming McConnell amid the growing discontent. The two often took opposing sides in Republican primaries throughout this election cycle, and many Trump-backed candidates in battleground Senate races have criticized McConnell for slashing spending on advertising in their states. 

Senator Rick Scott (R-FL), who headed Republicans’ Committee responsible for retaking the Senate majority, has similarly attacked McConnell and refused to rule out a run for the leadership spot. Trump has backed Scott for the position amid the infighting. Still, such a move seems unlikely, and analysts say the Kentucky Republican probably has the votes locked up to remain the caucus’ leader. 

Implications. While Republicans are favored to retake the House majority — a scenario that would likely halt the Biden administration’s legislative agenda — Democrats retaining control of the Senate does have significant implications for the President’s priorities. The upper chamber approves many of his nominations for key roles — including for all federal judicial positions. The administration has faced little delay in confirmations for these nominees over the past two years, and continued control means that they will likely continue approving them with ease. Such a majority will have special importance should an unexpected vacancy on the Supreme Court.

House’s Fate Unknown

A Few Races Left. Last week, we also highlighted the battle for control of the House of Representatives, saying that Republicans were likely to regain a narrow majority. While Republicans are still favored to retake control, Democrats have a small but possible path to holding onto the chamber. Just a week ago, the prospect seemed unthinkable, but Democrats have performed better than expected in several key races, leaving them in striking range. 

The Path to a Majority. The Associated Press has currently called 212 seats for Republicans and 204 for Democrats. To reach the 218-seat target for the majority, the GOP only has to win seven of the 20 outstanding races, while Democrats need to take 14. Republicans are currently likely to win five seats and need to pick up only two of six neck-and-neck seats. Democrats’ most likely path under such a scenario requires them to seal the deal in the nine uncalled races where they currently hold a steady lead and clinch five of the battleground seats. Some of these contests’ margins may be so close that they trigger mandatory recounts, possibly leaving control of the House unclear for weeks.

Ballot Initiatives

Explained. In the U.S., many states allow citizens to enact policies by approving ballot initiatives. The rules for these measures vary by state, but advocates often use the process to bypass the state legislature. While the procedure for getting an initiative on the ballot differs from state to state, it typically requires filing the proposal with a state official and obtaining a specified amount of signatures to show the measure has public support. These ballot initiatives usually come in the form of a question on the ballot. They appear alongside elected representatives and are more commonly used by towns, cities, and counties. As with the qualification rules, these measures must meet different thresholds for success depending on the state. While most initiatives only need a simple majority to pass, some states impose additional requirements, such as a certain percentage of the public voting on the measure or a larger majority backing the proposal.

Controversy. While ballot initiatives have seen notable successes, many states do not allow the practice, and others have sought to curtail their effectiveness. State lawmakers that oppose the practice generally argue that enacting policy changes is the legislature’s responsibility, not advocates. These opponents say initiative proponents often fail to understand the intricacies of existing laws or the potential impacts of their proposed policies. Such opposition comes from both sides of the aisle, typically in states where one party dominates the legislature — like New York and Texas. Some historians note that the party out of power often favors ballot measures, while the one in the majority regularly opposes them. Lobbying groups also tend to resist ballot initiatives, finding it much easier to influence individual legislators than the entire public. Others criticize the process as being susceptible to out-of-state interests that often spend significant sums to influence ballot measure campaigns.

2022 Midterms. In the latest midterm elections, voters across 37 states decided on 132 statewide ballot initiatives. They covered a broad range of topics, including abortion, marijuana, and forced prison labor. In some states, legislatures proposed measures to restrict the ballot initiative process. The 132 initiatives saw varying degrees of success, and many remain too close to call, but their broader use as a way for the public to affect policy change proved effective once again.

Overview of 2022 Measures

Abortion. While some states sought to ban elements of abortion, others codified abortion in their state constitutions. California passed a ballot initiative — Proposition 1 — to instate that one cannot “deny or interfere with an individual’s reproductive freedom in their most intimate decisions,” including decisions to have an abortion or to choose or refuse contraceptives. Likewise, Michigan’s Proposal 3 and Vermont’s Amendment enshrined a constitutional right to “reproductive freedom.”

Other the other end of the spectrum, Amendment 2 in Kentucky failed to add to the state constitution that there is no right to abortion or government funding for abortions. Perhaps most controversially, Montana’s LR-131 failed on a thin margin. The initiative would have “required medical care to be provided to infants born alive after an induced labor, cesarean section, attempted abortion, or another method.”

Marijuana. The legalization of marijuana has become a growing ballot initiative since Colorado popularized the move. During the 2022 midterm elections, five states voted on legalizing pot, with only two succeeding. Question 4 in Maryland and Amendment 3 in Missouri both legalized possession of marijuana for individuals over the age of 21 and with state sales taxes on the product. Measure 27 in South Dakota, Issue 4 in Arkansas, and Measure 2 in North Dakota, which would enact similar policies, failed.

Voting Changes. Voters also weighed ballot initiatives covering election policies. Across five states, ballot measures proposed changes to states’ voting procedures — some broadening access while others imposed more requirements. In Nebraska, voters approved a measure to require photo identification to vote. In Arizona, a measure that would increase the requirements to cast a ballot remains too close to call. In Ohio, voters backed an initiative that prevents localities from allowing noncitizens to vote. Meanwhile, results from a ballot measure in Nevada looking to drastically change the state’s primary system and introduce ranked-choice voting remain to be seen. Michigan and Connecticut also weighed several changes to how they conduct elections in their states.

Overview

Expectations. Going into the 2022 midterms, Republicans were favored to win — and win big. Midterm elections are often considered referendums on the performance of the party in power. With the Biden administration seeing historically low approval ratings for jobs, the economy, and other key swing issues, Republicans were set to take historic wins in the House and Senate. Up until election day, polls showed Republicans in striking distance for races like Maggie Hassan’s reliably blue New Hampshire, key congressional races like unseating Abigail Spanberger in Virginia, and even taking a shot at Hochul’s governor seat in the Democratic stronghold of New York.

Red Ripple. As election results started rolling in, the suspected “red tsunami” fizzled into a wave and, finally, a mere ripple. While outlets have been hesitant to call that the GOP has recaptured the majority in the House, most decision desks say they are poised to take control — albeit narrowly. 

However, the fate of the Senate is more unclear, with several battleground seats still up for grabs. In Nevada, Adam Laxalt (R) leads incumbent Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D), while Senator Mark Kelly (D) is beating Blake Masters (R) in neighboring Arizona. Although these races remain uncalled, if these two races end as they currently stand, control of the Senate will hinge on a December 6 runoff in Georgia between Senator Raphael Warnock (D) and Herschel Walker (R).

Key Outcomes

DeSantis Dominates. When Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) first ran for office against Andrew Gillum (D) in 2018, he won his seat by about 30,000 votes in a tightly contested election. Despite a long history of close elections in the state, this year, DeSantis utterly dominated his opponent Charlie Crist (D) — securing 1.5 million votes above his challenger. In addition, Republicans flipped four congressional seats in Florida and even won races in historically blue suburbs of Miami. In his victory speech, DeSantis declared Florida — once the quintessential swing state — a Republican stronghold, saying, “Florida is where woke goes to die.” Already considered a likely contender, DeSantis’ resounding win could serve as a springboard for a 2024 presidential run.

Fetterman Flies By. Despite concerns over Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman’s (D) health and a lackluster debate performance, the Democrat clinched the state’s open Senate seat, a crucial pickup for Democrats hoping to retain the majority in the chamber. 

While analysts expected Josh Shapiro (D) to cruise to victory in the governor’s race, the Senate contest appeared much tighter, and the latest polls predicted a photo-finish race. However, multiple outlets called Fetterman’s victory on Election Night, and Mehmet Oz (R) conceded on Wednesday after falling roughly 200,000 votes behind. 

Other Notable Calls. Lauren Boebert, a Republican firebrand, is locked in a tight battle with her opponent, Adam Frisch (D). The seat has long been a Republican stronghold, leaning 8-points towards the GOP.

Mayra Flores (R), the Congresswoman who made headlines for flipping a Southern Texas district red in a special election earlier this year, has lost. Flores originally made waves as the seat had been blue for over 70 years.

Hung Cao (R) lost in Virginia while attempting to flip Loudoun County. Although Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) successfully did so in 2021, Cao failed to replicate his victory.

Wiley Nickel (D) and Jeff Jackson (D) managed to flip two Republican districts in North Carolina, weakening the GOP’s control of Congress.

Riding the coattails of gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin (R), Long Island, NY, flipped congressional seats and came out for Republicans.

Potential Causes

Gen Z. As Democrats defied expectations on Election Night, many sought to determine the source of their overperformance. Some pundits believe a turnout surge among young voters helped prevent the suspected “red wave” from ever manifesting. Voters under 30 overwhelmingly favored Democrats, and some analysts suspect this helped prevent the historic losses they expected. Proponents of this theory, like this NBC reporter, believe pollsters undersampled these young voters, leading them to overestimate Republicans’ chances.

Trump’s Impact. Some analysts think that former President Trump’s heavy involvement in Republican primaries nationwide may have hurt the GOP. These proponents argue that he promoted weak candidates in several high-profile races, leading to unnecessary Republican losses. Across several battleground states, Trump-backed candidates failed while those Republicans who had bucked the former President fended off challengers.

Real Top-Ballot Issue. Other analysts suggest that abortion may have been more of a priority for voters than previously thought. Data ahead of the election showed voters’ top issue was economic concerns. Generally, exit polls show President Biden and the Democrats got low marks for their handling of the economy. However, some observers think abortion may have played a more prominent role in the election, leading to Democratic overperformances.

What Comes Next

Too Close to Call. As results come in, both parties’ hopes of controlling the Senate majority could again come down to a runoff in Georgia. Herschel Walker and Raphael Warnock both failed to get over 50% of the vote. So, the two will face off on December 6 in a race that will certainly draw the nation’s attention and cost tens, if not hundreds, of millions of dollars.

Maricopa Madness. Many conservatives are angry after a glitch in voting machines in Maricopa County, Arizona. The highly populated county was the site of intense scrutiny following the 2020 elections, with former President Trump making allegations of widespread fraud there. The site is crucial to determining several high-profile races, such as the contests for Senate and governor. While the county has backup methods for voting if tabulators fail, many Republicans were suspicious of the errors and alleged it caused voters to leave the line and miss voting.

Who’s the Real Winner? DeSantis emerged as one of the victors of the night, as Trump-endorsed candidates failed to deliver and the candidates Trump attacked dominated. Democrats also looked good in the Senate and stopped the bleeding in the House races — even managing to flip seats. Republicans will still likely control the House of Representatives and will almost certainly end the January 6 committee — as well as launch investigations and play opposition to the Biden administration.