Tough Battle for Control

Republicans and Democrats in close race for control of Congress

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October 2006

This chart illustrates the balance of power between Republicans and Democrats in Congress after the 2006 midterm elections.

 

This chart illustrates the balance of power between Republicans and Democrats in Congress before the midterm elections.

Democrats and Republicans are engaged in a heated battle for control of Congress this election season. On November 7, American voters will declare a winner when they head to the polls for the 2006 midterm elections. It is the first time in 12 years that the Democrats have come this close to regaining control of either branch of Congress.

“The off year of the second term of any President is always a tough election,” said U.S. Senator John McCain, Republican, Ariz., when asked about whether Republicans could lose control of either the House or the Senate.

Candidates are campaigning around the clock to convince voters that their party is the right choice. After all, the stakes are high. A total of 33 Senate seats and all 435 seats in the House are up for grabs—and so is the balance of power in Congress.

Republicans currently control both the House and the Senate: With the exception of a short period in 2001, they have been in command of Congress for the past dozen years. Next month, the Democrats could end the Republican’s 12-year reign by picking up 15 seats in the House and 6 seats in the Senate.

House Minority Leader Representative Nancy Pelosi of California. (Photo: Evan Vucci/AP Photo)

The Issues

While Republicans remain upbeat, political analysts predict that the midterm elections could spell trouble. Polls indicate that most Americans are unhappy with the economy, despite the recent drop in gasoline prices. Voters usually blame the controlling political party for a sluggish economy.

Americans may take out their frustrations with the President by voting for Democrats instead of Republicans. While President Bush’s job approval rating has risen lately, it remains relatively low.

Voters’ concerns over terrorism will also play a major role in the elections. This issue could work well for Republicans. Polls show that Americans believe that Republicans are better prepared to tackle terrorism. Therefore, people who put fighting terrorism at the top of their priority lists are more likely to vote Republican.

Despite their political differences, both sides agree that it is the federal government’s duty to protect the country from further attacks. In separate interviews with Scholastic News Online, the top two party leaders in the House of Representatives pointed out the importance of the fight against terrorism as an issue.

“[Democrats] believe our first responsibility is to keep the American people safe,” House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Democratic, Cal., told Scholastic News Online. If Democrats take control of the House, Pelosi is in line to become the first female Speaker of the House.

Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert. (Photo: Larry Downing/Reuters)

Current Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert, Republican, Ill., echoed the Representative’s views.

“Our government’s first responsibility is national security, providing for the common defense and keeping our nation’s families, schools, and cities safe from terrorism,” he said.

The war in Iraq may prove to be the biggest make-or-break issue when voters cast their ballots next month. Americans are angry about the growing death toll—more than 2,700 U.S. soldiers—which could hurt Republicans. However, Democrats have yet to agree upon a plan for the withdrawal of American troops, which could weaken their chances of winning.

Road to Victory

While most experts agree that next month’s midterm elections are too close to call, Hastert expects his party to triumph again.

“If voters like the work we have done in the past two years, especially on national and economic security issues, then the Republicans will retain the majority in November’s election,” said the 64-year-old Speaker.

Pelosi disagrees. She insists that the American public is ready for change, and she likes Democrats’ chances on November 7.

“Americans agree that Republicans in the House and the Senate have served as a rubber stamp for President Bush’s misplaced priorities,” said Representative Pelosi. “America should work for everyone, not just the privileged few. Democrats have a clear vision for a new direction for our country.”

Voters at the polls on November 7 will have the final say.

Karen Fanning is a contributing writer for Scholastic News Online.

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