Breathing room the Republicans probably will NOT have in the House….
If Democrats win the Senate runoff in Georgia and secure a slim 51-49 majority over Republicans, they will have significant governing advantages compared to the 50-50 split in the current Congress, during which a power sharing agreement gives Republicans considerable leverage over Democrats despite being in the minority.
- Democrats would hold majorities in each committee, allowing them to process legislation and nominations much faster. Democrats would also enjoy bigger staffs and budgets, giving them more ability to carry out committee work. Committees now are evenly split – as are the resources – allowing Republicans to slow the pace of nominees they oppose. When a choice deadlocks in committee, Democrats must take time-consuming steps to discharge that person from committee and allow a floor vote. In one instance earlier this year, Republicans used Banking Committee rules to prevent a vote from even taking place by boycotting committee sessions, ultimately forcing President Joe Biden to withdraw a nominee for the Federal Reserve. This would also free up additional floor time for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to use toward other nominees and Democratic priorities.
- Democrats would have stronger power to issue subpoenas. They would no longer need bipartisan support to issue subpoenas so they can bypass GOP opposition to using these key tools. This could increase the power and number of Democratic-led investigations.
- Centrist Democrats may not hold as much power over Democrats’ agenda. A two-seat majority margin gives Schumer more breathing room to pass legislation without needing support from all members of his caucus – like West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin and Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, moderates who will both be up for reelection in 2024. The two held enormous power in the 50-50 Senate.
- Filling a Supreme Court vacancy could be easier. The two-seat margin could also become critical if there were to be a Supreme Court vacancy as only a majority is needed to confirm a justice to that post, allowing Schumer to lose one vote….
Polls have closed…..
Decision Desk HQ
DDHQ Race Update (est. 12% in): GA US Senate Runoff
Raphael Warnock (D-i): 257,935
(64.79%)
Herschel Walker (R): 140,165
(35.21%)
Decision Desk HQ
DDHQ Race Update (est. 16% in): GA US Senate Runoff
Raphael Warnock (D-i): 324,774
(60.91%)
Herschel Walker (R): 208,426
(39.09%)
Decision Desk HQ
DDHQ Race Update (est. 19% in): GA US Senate Runoff
Raphael Warnock (D-i): 374,109
(58.35%)
Herschel Walker (R): 267,085
(41.65%)
DDHQ Race Update (est. 25% in): GA US Senate Runoff
Raphael Warnock (D-i): 480,248
(59.24%)
Herschel Walker (R): 330,425
(40.76)
DDHQ
Warnock is managing a solid double digit lead with about 25% of the votes counted
DDHQ Race Update (est. 34% in): GA US Senate Runoff
Raphael Warnock (D-i): 631,632
(56.62%)
Herschel Walker (R): 483,911
(43.38%)
DDHQ
MSNBC
41% in
772,213 Warnock
635,424 Walkerb
DDHQ Race Update (est. 53% in): GA US Senate Runoff
Raphael Warnock (D-i): 954,522
(51.76%)
Herschel Walker (R): 889,752
(48.24%)
Dave Wasserman
A pattern emerging: Walker (R) is hitting/getting close to the numbers he needs in the reddest, most rural counties. But he’s falling a good bit short of the numbers he needs in small/midsized cities. #GASEN
DDHQ Race Update (est. 55% in): GA US Senate Runoff
Raphael Warnock (D): 993,282
(51.02%)
Herschel Walker (R-i): 953,585
(48.98%)
DDHQ Race Update (est. 55% in): GA US Senate Runoff
Raphael Warnock (D): 993,282
(51.02%)
Herschel Walker (R-i): 953,585
(48.98%)
Dave Wasserman
Whitfield Co. (Dalton, substantially Hispanic): Walker +46.4 in November, Walker +48.3 today. Another good result for Walker (R) in North Georgia, but probably not enough to offset what we’re seeing elsewhere. #GASEN
Dave Wasserman
Richmond Co. (Augusta): Warnock +37.7 in November, Warnock +40.5 today. A terrific result for Warnock (D) in Georgia’s third biggest city. #GASEN
DDHQ Race Update (est. 73% in): GA US Senate Runoff
Raphael Warnock (D-i): 1,295,752
(50.07%)
Herschel Walker (R): 1,291,965
(49.93%)
Tonight’s results are coming very close to matching November’s: 53eig.ht/3utmRZl #GArunoff
DDHQ Race Update (est. 77% in): GA US Senate Runoff
Raphael Warnock (D-i): 1,387,116
(50.59%)
Herschel Walker (R): 1,354,630
(49.41%)
HOT DAMN!
Dave Wasserman
I’ve seen enough: Sen. Raphael Warnock (D) defeats Herschel Walker (R) in the #GASEN runoff, giving Democrats a 51-49 majority in the Senate.….
Clearly Kornacki has been told NOT to click on the Atlanta metro totals with any frequency. If he did, people would see what was left, and anxiety would diminish and – in their minds – viewership would decline.…
Duty to Warn
(Which is why Wasserman has called for Warnock just now….)
DDHQ Race Update (est. 81% in): GA US Senate Runoff
Raphael Warnock (D-i): 1,459,169
(50.08%)
Herschel Walker (R): 1,454,404
(49.92%)
Decision Desk HQ projects Sen. Raphael Warnock (D) wins re-election to the U.S. Senate in Georgia.
#DecisionMade: 9:48pm EST
Follow more results here: results.decisiondeskhq.com/2022/general/s…
Larry Sabato
C’mon friends. It’s not going to be this close in the end. Warnock will win by several points. It’s not a squeaker–only appears that way because of how the votes have been counted, and the networks’ need to build extra drama to hold you for hours. #GeorgiaSenateRunoff
Dave Wasserman
To my eye, Sen. Raphael Warnock (D) is on track to prevail by 2-4 pts. By the standard of the 2021 runoffs, that’s a Democratic blowout. #GASEN
FINALLY…….
CNN AND MSNBC……
Ralphal Warnock WINS a SIX YEAR TERM
FOX NEWS announcing Warnock WIN
DDHQ Race Update (est. 46% in): GA US Senate Runoff
Raphael Warnock (D-i): 878,196
(54.11%)
Herschel Walker (R): 744,753
(45.89%)