(MSNBC) Where a Warnock victory would be most important for Democrats
As (MSNBC's) Shawn Cox pointed out, a Warnock victory in Georgia would make it considerably easier for Democrats to pass progressive legislation by reducing their reliance on conservative Democrats in the Senate. There are also a couple other crucial benefits that could be a game changer for the Democrats: judges and long-term control of the Senate.
With a 51-seat majority, Democrats could confirm federal judges for next two years at much greater speed. Under a 50-50 split in the Senate, both parties have a power-sharing agreement in committees, which makes moving nominees through the confirmation process much more cumbersome and time-intensive. With 51 seats, Democrats would have control of the committees, and nominations would move more quickly, allowing them to fill up the understaffed judiciary more efficiently — and giving them more time to attend to other legislative matters. Additionally, if a Supreme Court vacancy emerges in the next two years, a bigger majority will make it easier to appoint a more progressive justice.
Another issue top of mind for Democrats is the 2024 Senate map, which some analysts are already calling a “map from hell” for the Democrats. That year, Democrats will be defending about two-thirds of the seats up for re-election, and many Republicans will be defending safe red seats. In other words, every single seat this year will have long-term payoffs for helping Democrats minimize their losses or maintaining a narrow majority in the next election cycle. In a legislative chamber where just one or two lawmakers can make or break a presidency, that’s a big deal.
As (MSNBC's) Shawn Cox pointed out, a Warnock victory in Georgia would make it considerably easier for Democrats to pass progressive legislation by reducing their reliance on conservative Democrats in the Senate. There are also a couple other crucial benefits that could be a game changer for the Democrats: judges and long-term control of the Senate.
With a 51-seat majority, Democrats could confirm federal judges for next two years at much greater speed. Under a 50-50 split in the Senate, both parties have a power-sharing agreement in committees, which makes moving nominees through the confirmation process much more cumbersome and time-intensive. With 51 seats, Democrats would have control of the committees, and nominations would move more quickly, allowing them to fill up the understaffed judiciary more efficiently — and giving them more time to attend to other legislative matters. Additionally, if a Supreme Court vacancy emerges in the next two years, a bigger majority will make it easier to appoint a more progressive justice.
Another issue top of mind for Democrats is the 2024 Senate map, which some analysts are already calling a “map from hell” for the Democrats. That year, Democrats will be defending about two-thirds of the seats up for re-election, and many Republicans will be defending safe red seats. In other words, every single seat this year will have long-term payoffs for helping Democrats minimize their losses or maintaining a narrow majority in the next election cycle. In a legislative chamber where just one or two lawmakers can make or break a presidency, that’s a big deal.
