Biden’s party on the verge of controlling Congress after historic election – telam

Raphael Warnock won one of two benches

US Democratic candidate Raphael Warnock won one of two Georgia Senate seats, with what became the first African American senator for that state and left President-elect Joe Biden’s party one step away from securing a majority in the Upper House and, therefore, control of Congress.

Warnock, a humble childhood pastor who presided over the same church in the city of Atlanta for 15 years where assassinated civil rights activist Martin Luther King preached, defeated incumbent Republican Senator Kelly Loeffler, according to networks. news from CNN, CBS and NBC after the elections on Tuesday.

One of the first to celebrate was Biden. “Georgian voters sent a strong message yesterday: They want action taken on the crises we face and they want it now: on Covid-19, financial aid, racial justice, the right to vote and much more, “he said in a statement, quoted by CNN.

Confident of the result of the other expected election in Georgia, he announced that, As soon as he takes office on January 20, he will move forward with requests for confirmation from key members of his cabinet to the new Senate who began his duties this week.

His victory is a major setback – one more – for outgoing President Republican Donald Trump, who this week made his last trip as president to Georgia to mobilize his bases and support Loeffler’s candidacy and the other candidate. of his party in this state, Senator David Perdue.

Fueled by Biden’s narrow victory in Georgia in November, unprecedented since 1992, Democrats were successful in mobilizing their constituents, especially the crucial African-American electorate.“

The other bank

Attention now turns to the second round for the other seat up for grabs in Georgia between Perdue and Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff, who will determine which party controls the Senate, and therefore Democrat Biden’s margin to advance his legislative agenda.

If Democrats win Georgia’s second seat, they will have control of the legislature, because they already dominate the Congressional House of Representatives, and, with Biden in the White House, also executive power.

The race between Perdue and Ossoff was too close to project a winner, US news networks said.

Under Georgian electoral law, a second candidate can request a recount when the margin of difference with the first is less than or equal to 0.5%.

“I make a promise to you: I am going to the Senate to work for all of Georgia,” Warnock said in a post posted online.

While waiting for the final result, the Democrat prevailed over former businessman Leoffler with 50.6% of the vote.

His co-religionist Ossoff was leading the other vote and could deal a blow to Republicans by taking control of the Senate.

In an abundant projection of confidence around his chances of winning his seat, Ossoff on Wednesday promised “to do everything to ensure that Georgia’s interests are represented in the Senate.”

“Georgia, thank you very much for your trust in me. I am honored for your support, for your trust,” he said in a social media post.

Georgia had to celebrate these two ballots because neither of the Senate candidates won the necessary majority in the general election on November 3, in which Trump was defeated by Biden.

Warnock will be the first black senator in Georgian history. Ossoff would, if he wins, be the youngest Democratic senator since Biden himself won a seat in 1973 when he was only thirty.“

At 51, Warnock is the third African American to win a Senate seat for a southern state. of the United States, as well as the first Democrat to reach the Senate of Georgia, a conservative state, in twenty years.

Loeffler, 50, was appointed senator in December 2019 to replace the late Republican who occupied that seat.

In the other vote, With 98% of the votes counted, Ossoff, a 33-year-old former congressional adviser and audiovisual producer, had 16,370 votes ahead. against former businessman Perdue, 71, a higher margin than that obtained by Biden against Trump.

Several analysts believe he will win, as most of the votes awaiting count come from the Democratic-majority Atlanta suburbs.

The final results could be released on Wednesday afternoon, Georgian election official Gabriel Sterling told CNN.

A historic choice

Biden, more than satisfied with the surprising victory in Georgia.

Fueled by Biden’s narrow victory in Georgia in November, unprecedented since 1992, Democrats were successful in mobilizing their constituents, especially the crucial African-American electorate.

The election is historic for other reasons as well. Warnock will be the first black senator in Georgian history. Ossoff would be, if he wins, the youngest Democratic senator since Biden himself won a seat in 1973 at just 30 years old.

If Democrats lose the other seat to Georgia, Republicans will control the Senate with 51 of its 100 seats and Biden will become the first president of his party to take power without a majority in the upper house in 136 years.

With the two seats in Georgia, Democrats will add 50 and future Vice President Kamal Harris, Speaker of the House, would tip the scales on his side in case of a tie for a law that must be approved by majority simple.

The problem is, most major laws need a 60-vote “supermajority” to pass the Senate. Therefore, Biden’s party would need around 10 Republican votes to do so.

Biden’s two priorities are to contain the coronavirus pandemic and revitalize the economy, most likely with a green infrastructure plan, and for both he will need Congress.

With Senate control, however, Democrats might be able to ratify Biden’s cabinet and justice candidates, and also pass budget laws, which can be passed by simple majority.