Trump campaigns in three states as Republicans fight to retain Congress
Donald Trump spent the final weekend before the US midterm elections campaigning in Florida, Iowa and Kansas, states he previously won, as Republicans sought to retain control of Congress. He urged voters to focus on his attacks on Democrats and their policies, amid frustration over rising living costs; the results could limit his power if Democrats gain control of either chamber.
Trump said Democrats would “bankrupt” families and weaken border and gun policies, while also promoting his record on trade and immigration. A Harvard forecasting tool put Democrats’ chances of taking the House at 96% and the Senate at 76%, and an NBC News poll showed registered voters favouring a Democratic-controlled Congress by 52% to 45%. In Michigan, Democratic congresswoman Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers, while an Alaska judge rejected an administration bid to delay certification of election results.
In short
- Trump campaigned in three states he previously won.
- Voters’ concerns over rising prices shaped his final pitch.
- Polls suggested Democrats were favoured to gain congressional control.
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The case for
Republicans can argue that voters should retain a Congress able to advance policies they believe will curb living costs, strengthen border enforcement and protect gun rights. They may also see Trump’s campaigning as a way to defend his record on trade and immigration and to keep the administration’s agenda from being blocked by Democratic control.
The case against
Democrats can argue that voters should give Congress a different party balance to scrutinise the administration and check its power, particularly amid concerns about household costs and its policies. Polling and forecasts suggest many voters favour that change, and a Democratic majority could provide an alternative direction on the issues Trump has highlighted.
Explained simply
US midterm elections take place halfway through a president’s four-year term. Voters choose all 435 members of the House of Representatives and about a third of the Senate, the two chambers that make up Congress.
Congress passes laws, approves spending and investigates the government. If the president’s party loses control of either chamber, the opposition can make it harder to pass legislation and can scrutinise the administration more closely.
Donald Trump is a Republican president, and Republicans are seeking to keep their majorities in Congress. The balance of power matters because it can shape what policies the government can pursue for the rest of his term.
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Originally published by BBC World as “Trump makes fevered campaign push in final weekend before election”.