Trump suffers blow as Democrats retake control of the House in US midterms
The Democrats will be able to limit the US President's hateful agenda after gaining a majority in the House of Representatives for the first time in eight years.
By Will Stroude
Words: Will Stroude
Donald Trump’s hateful agenda suffered a blow on Tuesday (November 6) as the Democrats wrestled back control of the House of Representatives from the Republican party.
The US midterm elections saw the Democrats gain a majority in the House for the first time in eight years, offering the first opportunity for real congressional oversight of President Trump since his election two years ago.
With all 435 seats up for grabs, the Democrats gained more than the 23 seats need to gain control of the lower congressional chamber, meaning the party will be able to limit President Trump’s legislative agenda.
House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, who will now retake her former position as speaker, told voters after the result: “Thanks to you, tomorrow will be a new day in America.”
House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi will now retake her former position as Speaker of the House
It wasn’t all good news, however: The Republicans have tighted their grip on the US Senate, meaning Trump will likely find it easier to have his judicial, federal and military appointments confirmed.
Approximately a third of Senate seats had been up for grabs, and after already holding a slim 51-49 majority, Republicans gained seats in Indiana, North Dakota and Missouri, the New York Times reports.
In characterisric fashion, President Trump ignored the losss of the House as he declated the night a “tremendous success”.
Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 7 November 2018
Despite the mixed picture, the US midterms saw a series of breakthroughs for female and minority candidates.
For the first time in US history, over 100 female candidates were returned to the House of Representatives, while Colorado’s Jared Polis became the first ever openly gay person to be elected to the position of governor.
Colorado’s Jared Polis has become the first openyl gay person in US history to be elected to the position of governor.
Democrats Ilhan OImar and Rashida Tlaib became the first Muslim women to be elected to Congress, while fellow party members Sharice Davids and Debra Haaland became the first Native American women to be elected to the legislature.
Davids, the newly-elected Representative for Kansas’s3rd congressional district, also has the joint honour of the being the state’s first openly gay congressperson
Ilhan OImar and Rashida Tlaib are the first Muslim women and Sharice Davids and Debra Haaland the first Native American women to be elected to Congress. All are Democrats.