JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Beyond President-elect Donald Trump’s win, Republicans have taken control of the Senate with a little cushion above 50 seats. Meanwhile, the U.S. House was still in play Wednesday evening but leaning Republican.
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News4JAX talked with Government Law Attorney and Author Chris Hand who said that if Republicans hold the House, the country can expect a push for their agenda relatively soon.
“If you are a President of the United States and coming into office to have both houses of Congress in the same party, the chances of your agenda moving forward are much easier,” Hand said.
Republicans’ time would be ticking if they control both houses and the presidency because early looks at the map look stronger for Democrats in the 2026 midterms. So, it will be critical for Republicans to work quickly.
Hand said one thing they may look at is the U.S. Supreme Court. In Trump’s first term, he got three justices on the bench and he might try for more in 2025.
“Remember there are three members of the Supreme Court of the United States, Samuel Alito, John Roberts and Clarence Thomas who have served nearly 20 or in Thomas’ case, 30 years,” Hand said. “I would be very surprised if there’s not one retirement at the end of this Supreme Court or maybe multiple.”
As far as a backstop against Republicans, Democrats could impede their agenda with the filibuster.
“That gives a party significant latitude to advance his agenda. But as we’ve seen several times in history, there are obstacles,” Hand said.
There’s also the issue of whether Trump puts some U.S. representatives or senators in his Cabinet.
Marco Rubio and Rick Scott could feasibly be in that conversation.
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Hand said political parties usually do that strategically and pick members from safe states where they won’t give up a seat if someone is brought into the administration.