Even with the filibuster, slim Democratic control of Congress keeps Biden’s agenda alive
January 17, 2021 | BPR Wire
Andrew Trunsky, DCNF
The Democratic Party’s twin Senate victories in Georgia on Jan. 5 gave it full control of Congress and the White House, giving President-elect Joe Biden at least two years to pass parts of his agenda.
With Democrats retaking the Senate they will be able to control congressional committees, allowing them to hold hearings and issue subpoenas of their choosing. They’ll also have enough votes to confirm judicial nominees without Republican support.
But they likely will not have enough support to pass many progressive priorities like court-packing and the Green New Deal, since Senate rules allow lawmakers to filibuster most pieces of legislation, essentially allowing them to block its passage.
The Democratic Party’s twin Senate victories in Georgia on Jan. 5 gave it full control of Congress and the White House, giving President-elect Joe Biden at least two years to pass parts of his agenda with Republicans powerless to stop votes or control what legislation appears on the House and Senate floors.
Though Biden will be sworn in on Jan. 20, officially giving his party full control of the legislative and executive branches, the Democratic Party’s majorities in Congress are slim, with only 219 seats in the House compared to Republicans’ 211 (five seats remain vacant). An even split in the Senate, gives Democrats the majority with Vice President-elect Harris’s tie-breaking vote.
The majority also gives Democrats control of congressional committees, allowing them to hold hearings and issue subpoenas in line with the party’s agenda. They will also have enough support to confirm judicial nominees without Republican votes and control what legislation does and does not make it to the floor, meaning that most liberal legislation passed by the House will likely be voted on in the Senate.
But they likely will not have enough support to pass many progressive priorities like court-packing and the Green New Deal. Additionally, Biden’s own legislative platform omits many hot-button issues pushed by progressives, including efforts to defund the police and impose gun control legislation.
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https://www.bizpacreview.com/2021/01/17/even-with-the-filibuster-slim-democratic-control-of-congress-keeps-bidens-agenda-alive-1017532/
