While Democrats may be celebrating big wins in Georgia, Republicans can take solace in the fact that complete Democrat control doesn’t typically last long. In the last 40 years, the Democratic Party has controlled all three entities in the nation’s capital just twice and both times the total control of power has lasted just two years.
The previous two times were in 1993-1994 and 2009-2010. The last time the Democrats controlled all three branches of government for full years was 1977-1980, leading up to Ronald Reagan taking office.
Looking back at the 12-year presidential tenure of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the Democrats held control of all three branches throughout his presidency from 1933-1945.
As it stands now, the House favors the Democrats by 11 seats, with the Dems seating 222 members to the 211 Republicans. There are two vacancies in the House following the death of Republican-elect Luke Letlow and the seat in New York’s 22nd district still being decided due to legal challenges.
At least three members of the House are expected to leave office to assume roles in the new Biden administration. Those members leaving will put the Democrats just one seat above the 218 needed for a majority in the House. Special elections will be held to fill two of those seats but that could take months and there is no guarantee that Democrats would win.
The Senate appears headed to a 50-50 split following the results of the Georgia Senate Runoff election. Vice President Kamala Harris would cast the tie-breaking vote in the Senate, giving Democrats the majority.
So, while Democrats celebrate, Republicans can hope that history will repeat itself and the Washington D.C. power will swing back in their direction sooner rather than later.
Add comment