Voting for the midterm elections in which part of the Senate and the entire House of Representatives, which constitute the two chambers of Congress in the USA, will be renewed, has ended in 41 states. So, who won the US midterm elections? Did Trump's party lose the House and Senate?
WHO WON THE INTERMEDIATE ELECTIONS IN THE USA?
By winning seven seats held by Republicans, Democrats passed the majority threshold in the 100-member Senate. According to the results published by the Associated Press (AP) as of 08.15 (UTC) on November 4, Democrats reached 52 seats, including two independent senators acting with them, while Republicans remained with 40 seats.
Although there are races that have not yet been concluded, this picture points to a change that may have important consequences for the Donald Trump administration's legislative activities, high-level appointments and relations with Congress.
The dominance of Democrats in the House of Representatives is also noteworthy. According to Associated Press (AP) data published as of 09.11 Türkiye time, Democrats won 210 seats and Republicans won 126 seats. While the number of seats taken by Democrats from Republicans reached 24, there are only eight seats left before the 218-seat threshold required for a majority in the 435-member House of Representatives.
The results of 99 constituencies have not been finalized yet. Therefore, it cannot be said that the Democrats have officially gained the majority in the House of Representatives. However, the current situation raises the possibility of Republicans losing control of both houses of Congress.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF TRUMP LOSES THE MID-TERM ELECTIONS?
It is wondered what will happen if Trump loses the midterm elections in the USA, in which part of the Senate and the entire House of Representatives will be renewed.
Here are the 10 critical expected results:
1 - TRUMP'S LEGISLATIVE POWER WILL BE LIMITED
In order for federal laws to come into force in the USA, they must be approved by both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
If Democrats control both houses, it will be difficult for Trump to pass new regulations on tax, healthcare, immigration and economic policies through Congress. Democrats may not take up the Republican administration's legislative proposals or may demand comprehensive changes.
Thus, Trump will lose a significant advantage in legislative activities based on his own party's majority in Congress.
2 - FEDERAL BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS WILL GET HARDER
One of the US President's most important weaknesses vis-à-vis Congress is his limited powers over federal spending.
Congress plays a determining role in the appropriations required for defense spending, federal agency budgets, border security and foreign aid.
If Democrats win both houses, they could challenge Trump's spending priorities, limit funding for some projects, or seek political concessions in exchange for the budget.
If an agreement is not reached, some activities of the federal government may be temporarily halted, as has happened many times before in the USA.
3 - THE IRAN WAR WILL BE TAKEN UNDER THE LOCUS
One of the most important changes may be greater Congressional scrutiny of US military operations against Iran.
Democrats will be able to question the legal basis of the war, its objectives, civilian casualties, military expenditures and the administration's long-term strategy.
Two powers are especially important here: Congress's powers to declare war and allocate resources for military operations.
Although the president, in his capacity as commander-in-chief, can make certain military decisions without prior approval from Congress, this authority is not unlimited. Democrats could take initiatives under the War Powers Act and try to limit new military spending.
However, enforcing such restrictions may be complicated by existing laws, the president's veto power, and possible legal disputes.
4 - UKRAINE AND ISRAEL POLICIES MAY CHANGE
Military aid to Ukraine, arms shipments to Israel and American military presence in the Middle East may be affected by the new balance of power in Congress.
Democrats will be able to intervene in the scope, conditions of use and control of aid packages. They may request more detailed information about arms transfers or take steps to prevent certain sales.
However, there is an important detail here: Winning both houses of Congress does not automatically cancel all existing military aid agreements.
The real struggle will be in allocating new resources, changing existing powers and monitoring management practices.
5 - BARGAINING WILL INCREASE IN RUSSIA AND CHINA POLICIES
Sanctions against Russia, trade relations with China and customs tariffs will also be among the areas of struggle between Congress and the White House.
Democrats will be able to prepare new sanctions regulations, increase supervision of existing practices and try to limit Trump's trade policies.
However, US presidents have important powers delegated to them by existing laws regarding foreign trade and sanctions.
Therefore, Trump losing the majority in Congress does not mean that sanctions or tariffs will automatically change.
6 - APPOINTMENT OF MINISTERS AND JUDGES WILL BE DIFFICULT
Trump's new ministers, ambassadors and many top federal officials must pass Senate approval.
The Democrats' Senate majority will be able to reject Trump's nominees, extend the confirmation process, or request consensus on different names.
The same goes for federal courts and possible Supreme Court memberships.
Moreover, since most federal judges serve for life, the struggle here may have long-term consequences that extend beyond Trump's presidency.
7 - INVESTIGATIONS ABOUT THE WHITE HOUSE MAY INCREASE
Democrats' control of both houses will mean that the management of Congressional committees will also largely change hands.
Commissions; will be able to examine public tenders, federal expenditures, foreign policy decisions, executive appointments and possible conflicts of interest.
Ministers and high-ranking officials may be called to testify in Congress. Commissions will be able to request documents within the scope of their legal powers and use compulsory call mechanisms when necessary.
8 - NEW OBSTACLES MAY APPLY IN MIGRATION POLICIES
Trump's policies regarding border security, immigration detention and deportation procedures may be subject to more intense scrutiny.
Democrats will be able to examine the Department of Homeland Security's spending, launch investigations into its practices, and try to impose conditions on the use of new budget resources.
However, Trump's executive powers under existing laws will continue.
Federal courts will continue to play a decisive role in the legality of decisions taken by presidential decrees.
9 - CAN TRUMP'S DISMISSAL BE ON THE AGENDA?
Democrats winning the House of Representatives could make it possible to initiate a new impeachment process against Trump.
According to the US Constitution, the House of Representatives can impeach the president with a simple majority vote. The trial then takes place in the Senate.
However, for a president to be removed from office, two-thirds of the members present in the Senate must vote for conviction.
Therefore, Democrats gaining a majority in both wings is not enough for Trump to be removed from office. In such a process, the support of Republican senators will also be required.
10 - TRUMP COULD TURN INTO A 'LAME DUCK' PRESIDENT
One of the expressions used in US politics for presidents who lose their support and political space in Congress despite continuing their duties is "lame duck".
Democrats winning both houses could move Trump closer to such a position in the final two years of his second term.
But the Democrats' majority is not unlimited. Due to the procedural obstacle known as filibuster in the Senate, the support of 60 senators is required to proceed to a vote on many legislative proposals.
Additionally, Trump's veto power will continue. To overcome a presidential veto, Congress must have a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Under these circumstances, a political situation may emerge in which both parties can block the other party's agenda, but have difficulty in implementing their own policies.
