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Even if Biden wins, he will likely face a struggle against a divided Congress

The Democratic Party will probably face a Republican-led Senate looking to stymy the president’s agenda, writes Kim Sengupta

Thursday 05 November 2020 17:29 GMT
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Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential nominee, on Wednesday
Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential nominee, on Wednesday

Joe Biden has had the most votes cast for him than any presidential candidate in American history, beating the previous record held by Barack Obama, and three and half million more, so far, than Donald Trump.

But numbers are going to be a problem for Biden,  if and when he gets to the White House – as they were for Obama – in one crucial place,  Congress. The Democrats have failed to fulfil expectations that they would take control of the Senate in the election to go with their majority in the House of Representatives.  

Instead of increasing their seats in the House, as had been predicted, six seats have been taken by the Republicans. Nancy Pelosi, if she is re-elected speaker, may end up with the smallest Democrat majority in her four terms as House leader with all the constraints that brings.

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