Democrats to take control of Congress following midterm election wins

The Democratic Party won control of both houses of Congress in Tuesday's midterm elections. SCOTUSblog reported that the party flipped at least 40 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and at least seven seats in the U.S. Senate. The Democratic Party will take official control of Congress when the new legislative session begins in January. [1]

The shift in power in the Senate will alter the process for judicial confirmations. SCOTUSblog and NBC News both reported that the Democratic majority in the Senate will complicate or block President Donald Trump from placing additional justices on the Supreme Court. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer stated that Senate Democrats would block any right-winger President Trump attempts to nominate to the high court, according to The Hill. [1][4][11]

The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the federal judiciary, holding ultimate appellate jurisdiction over federal court cases and state court cases involving federal law. The United States Congress serves as the bicameral legislative branch of the federal government, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate. [13][14]

The upcoming Democratic majorities will also allow the party to set legislative policymaking priorities. According to SCOTUSblog, controlling both chambers will give Democrats a primary role in shaping future policies regarding the federal judiciary. [1]