Republican control of the U.S. House of Representatives and gains in the U.S. Senate may stall both parties' legislative agendas in the next congressional term.
Polls show that the GOP could gain 40 to 50 seats in the House and narrowly miss gaining control of the Senate. According to UW-Madison political science professor Barry Burden, this may be more because of disillusionment with Democrats than approval of Republicans.
""Both the Republicans and the Democrats are in the dumps,"" Burden said. ""In fact, in a lot of polls, Republicans are less liked than the Democrats are. This is sort of funny. It's a wave or a surge for one party, but it's not a party that's especially well liked.""
The likely election results could spell disarray for both parties' legislative agendas. The president's veto and Republican Senate filibuster could result in a congressional stalemate.
According to Burden, Republicans may be able to nibble away at Obama's health-care reform act, but will be unable to achieve a full-scale repeal. Burden predicts that Republicans will focus on maintaining Bush's tax cuts, preventing more stimulus funding, and fighting the administration on energy policy.
The results could also shake up Democrat and Republican leadership. House Minority Leader John Boehner would assume Speaker of the House despite some in-party opposition, Burden said, while Democrats may punish current speaker Nancy Pelosi for the loss.
—Patrick Tricker
