I. Legislative and Fiscal Agenda Hindered, Narrowing Trump's Policy Space
1. Shift in Legislative Dominance: With Democrats controlling the House, Republicans will find it difficult to pass legislation without Democratic support. Trump will face increased difficulty in pushing for tax cuts, fiscal spending, and other major policies.
2. Budget and Debt Ceiling Become the Focus of the Game: Democrats can use budget approval and appropriation procedures to constrain the White House. Disagreements between the two sides on fiscal spending, defense budgets, and the debt ceiling may increase uncertainty regarding a government shutdown and national debt financing.
II. Expanded Congressional Investigative Powers, Trump and His Family Face Investigation
With Democrats controlling both houses, they will have greater congressional oversight and investigative powers. Trump, the Trump administration and family, business interests, and government officials may face more congressional investigations. Since August, the ranking Democratic member of the House oversight and investigative body has prioritized an investigation into corruption within the Trump family.
III. Impeachment Risk Resurfaces, But Removal Is Not Guaranteed
Democrats retain the impeachment option, but impeachment requires the House to pass relevant articles and a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate to secure conviction and removal from office. Trump faced impeachment twice during his first term, but failed to secure the necessary votes for conviction in the Senate both times.
IV. Senate Nominations Hindered, White House Policy Progress Faces Obstacles
The appointment of senior officials may be delayed: The Senate is responsible for confirming important personnel appointments such as cabinet officials, ambassadors, and federal judges. With a Democratic majority, they may block or delay Trump's nominees.
V. Trump's Core Policies May Be Overturned, Iran War Ends Completely
1. Prioritizing Livelihood and Economic Agenda: Democrats plan to reinstate Affordable Care Act premium subsidies, repeal nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts, and alleviate cost-of-living pressures through measures such as expanding housing and child tax credits.
2. Challenging Trump's Core Policies: Democrats may push to end tariffs, push the Trump administration to end military action against Iran, or demand congressional authorization for continued military action. Democratic Senator Schatz stated that the Democrats' primary goal is to end the Iran war.
