A 50/50 Senate: Thoughts of an Independent

 

A 50/50 Senate: Thoughts of an Independent

Will there be compromise?

Following the results of the stunning Georgia Senate runoff elections, we were presented with a very unique time in our politics that is rarely replicated; a situation in which the Senate is split 50/50.

After 6 years of Republican majority rule in the Senate, the Democratic Party will assume majority control of Congress's upper chamber on January 20th, when President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris are inaugurated. Vice President-elect Harris will be capable of casting tie-breaking votes in the chamber to assume a majority, which will lead to a changing of the guard. This has resounding implications for the incoming President, as it was thought previously that Democrats had failed in their attempt to retake the upper chamber, and that President-elect Biden would need to significantly compromise with the Republican majority to effectuate legislation, approve cabinet appointments, judicial appointments, and conduct other aspects of his office.

Something of significance here is that the expected need to compromise was almost immediately squashed following the Georgia runoff results being reported. If the Democratic majority held a united front, they would be able to effectuate and approve all of the above mentioned elements of our federal government. In terms of legislation, a process known as budget reconciliation would allow for certain bills to pass through the chamber with a simple majority vote of 51, and other bills would be forced for a vote by all Republicans. This would force moderate Republicans to take public stances on certain issues that was reflected in their voting records, and could lead to the passage of other bills through meeting the 60 vote threshold. As a result of this change, the real question begs to differ: Will there be compromise?

Most notably was an early response from President-elect Biden in regards to this very question. The President-elect made it perfectly clear that he was anticipating and planning on working with Republicans to establish bipartisan majorities for a large slew of his term's agenda. Following a lengthy career in the U.S. Senate himself, the President-elect was known for his skills as a bipartisan deal-maker, and had a rather productive working relationship with current Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell. It is assumably this expectation and acknowledgement of his past that leads to the desire to form effective bipartisan majorities in the Senate for his agenda. As to whether the Democratic Senators agree with this desire is still to be seen, as there has been a noted bitter partisan divide for many years that has only found itself further inflamed under current President Donald Trump.

In our personal thoughts, we think it would be better for the country to form consistent bipartisanship where we can, especially considering reason events. By forming a bipartisan majority on a consistent basis in our federal government, we could ratchet down the temperature of our current corrosive political environment and seek to unite rather than divide Americans. As to whether or not this will occur or be possible, it is only our hope that this can be achieved.

By the People, for the People, of the People, for it is We the People.