Democrat Jeff Merkley defeated Republican Senator Gordon Smith in Oregon, the Portland Oregonian projected on Wednesday, to further expand Democrats’ majority in the new Congress.
With the results of three races still to be determined from Tuesday’s election, Democrats have now gained six seats to raise their majority in the 100-member Senate to 57.
If these remaining contests all go to Democrats, they would end up, for the first time in three decades, with the 60 Senate seats needed to pass legislation even in the face of Republican procedural hurdles.
To reach 60, Democrats would have to win a runoff in Georgia, a recount in Minnesota and a come-from-behind victory in Alaska.
“We don’t see it happening,” a Democratic party aide said. “But we’ll see.”
A three-way contest in Georgia involving Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss appeared headed toward a Dec. 2 runoff.
Winners had also yet to be declared in the races involving Republican senators Norm Coleman in Minnesota and 84-year-old Ted Stevens of Alaska, who was convicted last month of lying on Senate forms to hide favors he received from a contractor. Coleman finished ahead of Democrat Al Franken, the former Saturday Night Live comedian, in the final vote count, but his 571-vote margin falls within the state’s mandatory recount law.
Democrats were projected to gain 20 seats in the 435-member House, raising their majority to 255. Seven races remained undecided.
Even if Senate Democrats fall short of a “filibuster-proof majority” of 60, they expect to win over at least a few moderate Republicans to pass major legislation.
Democrats won the Senate and House two years ago, but Republicans have routinely blocked legislation on matters from Iraq to health care and energy.
BACKLASH: The National Party quit its decades-long partnership with the Liberal Party after their election loss to center-left Labor, which won a historic third term Australia’s National Party has split from its conservative coalition partner of more than 60 years, the Liberal Party, citing policy differences over renewable energy and after a resounding loss at a national election this month. “Its time to have a break,” Nationals leader David Littleproud told reporters yesterday. The split shows the pressure on Australia’s conservative parties after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s center-left Labor party won a historic second term in the May 3 election, powered by a voter backlash against US President Donald Trump’s policies. Under the long-standing partnership in state and federal politics, the Liberal and National coalition had shared power
A Croatian town has come up with a novel solution to solve the issue of working parents when there are no public childcare spaces available: pay grandparents to do it. Samobor, near the capital, Zagreb, has become the first in the country to run a “Grandmother-Grandfather Service,” which pays 360 euros (US$400) a month per child. The scheme allows grandparents to top up their pension, but the authorities also hope it will boost family ties and tackle social isolation as the population ages. “The benefits are multiple,” Samobor Mayor Petra Skrobot told reporters. “Pensions are rather low and for parents it is sometimes
CONTROVERSY: During the performance of Israel’s entrant Yuval Raphael’s song ‘New Day Will Rise,’ loud whistles were heard and two people tried to get on stage Austria’s JJ yesterday won the Eurovision Song Contest, with his operatic song Wasted Love triumphing at the world’s biggest live music television event. After votes from national juries around Europe and viewers from across the continent and beyond, JJ gave Austria its first victory since bearded drag performer Conchita Wurst’s 2014 triumph. After the nail-biting drama as the votes were revealed running into yesterday morning, Austria finished with 436 points, ahead of Israel — whose participation drew protests — on 357 and Estonia on 356. “Thank you to you, Europe, for making my dreams come true,” 24-year-old countertenor JJ, whose
Two people died and 19 others were injured after a Mexican Navy training ship hit the Brooklyn Bridge, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said yesterday. The ship snapped all three of its masts as it collided with the New York City landmark late on Saturday, while onlookers enjoying the balmy spring evening watched in horror. “At this time, of the 277 on board, 19 sustained injuries, 2 of which remain in critical condition, and 2 more have sadly passed away from their injuries,” Adams posted on X. Footage shared online showed the Mexican Navy ship Cuauhtemoc, its sails furled
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