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Majority Leader Thune says Senate GOP won’t ‘stand idly by’ as Democrats take control of Congress
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Republicans would work with President Donald Trump to oppose Democratic policies after Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress. The shift will leave Republicans in the minority when the 120th Congress begins early next year, setting up a change in legislative power.
Thune said Senate Republicans had blocked a major tax increase, strengthened border security, confirmed Trump’s Cabinet quickly and approved conservative judges. He argued their work should not be undone and said the party would resist what he called Democratic extremism. Results in Mississippi and Alaska remained unresolved, while available figures put Republicans on 44 Senate seats.
In short
- Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress.
- Thune says Senate Republicans will resist Democratic priorities.
- Republicans are projected to hold 44 Senate seats.
Explained simply
Congress is the part of the US federal government that makes laws. It has two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Their members are elected, and control of each chamber affects which bills can advance and how the government oversees the president.
The Senate’s majority leader helps set its agenda and speaks for the party with the most seats. John Thune is a Republican, as is President Donald Trump; Democrats are the other main party. When a party is in the minority, it has fewer seats and usually less power to shape Senate business, though it can still debate and vote on legislation.
Control of Congress matters because tax, immigration and other national policies require lawmakers’ approval. The Senate also confirms many senior government appointments and federal judges. A change in party control can therefore affect both new laws and whether earlier decisions are revisited.