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52 votes
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Dianne Feinstein’s US Senate seat to be filled by Laphonza Butler
29 votes -
Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California dies at 90
95 votes -
Mitt Romney says he will not seek a second term in the US Senate
41 votes -
US Senate proposes that radioactive contamination of NATO territory caused by Russia be considered as attack on Alliance
29 votes -
In Georgia Runoff Elections, (D) Warnock wins vs (R) Loeffler, (D) Ossof very likely wins vs (R) Purdue
Text post because the big news companies are cowards playing it safe and not calling Ossof yet, though it's basically over Warnock makes history with Senate win as Dems near majority (AP News) My...
Text post because the big news companies are
cowardsplaying it safe and not calling Ossof yet, though it's basically overWarnock makes history with Senate win as Dems near majority (AP News)
My takes below:
What does this mean?
This gives Democrats a thin majority in the senate. Does it mean they have free reign? No, the party is not that unified. In particular, as you probably have heard his name many many times now, Manchin, the "conservative Democrat" from WV is likely to be the kingmaker in votes. So it's not like just anything can get passed, and Manchin will not eliminate the filibuster easily.
So is it pointless?
ABSOLUTELY NOT
It's a huge victory nonetheless for Democrats. Remember, with control of the Senate, Chuck Schumer will be Senate Majority Leader, who controls what legislation the senate votes on. Even bipartisan bills were consistently torpedoed by McConnell who would refuse to even have a vote on it. Now, there is politics that can be done - deals, compromise, whatever. If you can't vote on something, nothing can be done. Things that are overall popular like increased stimulus are also going to pass.
Additionally, perhaps an even bigger deal, Biden can get his nominations through for cabinet and judges. There's an insane amount of unfilled heads of state departments right now, and the rest are filled with people absolutely unfit for the job. Having a real human being be the head of the EPA, or Department of Education, or the Department of Energy, and so forth is a big deal.
It also means that Justice Breyer can safely retire and have another "liberal" Justice take his place.
It's not sweeping control over the government, but it's a immensely superior political situation to McConnell stone walling anything he doesn't want, and Biden having to haggle with McConnell over how incompetent his cabinet needs to be.
48 votes -
Amy McGrath wins close Kentucky Senate primary
11 votes -
In first for Congress, US House passes bill to establish DC as the nation's 51st state, but it faces insurmountable opposition in the Senate
26 votes -
Andrew Yang has endorsed Mike Broihier, an asparagus-farming progressive, in his Democratic Senate primary contest
7 votes -
US Senate approves bill to sanction China over Uighur rights
10 votes -
NRA was 'foreign asset' to Russia ahead of 2016, new US senate report reveals
22 votes -
US Senate intelligence committee unveils election security report in wake of Mueller hearings
30 votes -
US Senate rejects Donald Trump’s border emergency declaration, setting up first veto
18 votes -
Senate Democrats investigate a new allegation of sexual misconduct from Brett Kavanaugh’s college years
15 votes -
Booker releases committee confidential documents related to yesterday’s testimony
13 votes