As the midterm elections approach, the balance of power in the Senate hangs in the balance. With only a third of Senate seats up for election every two years, Democrats are facing a tough battle to maintain their slim majority.
Out of the 34 seats up for grabs this year, Democrats are defending 20 while Republicans are defending 13. According to Senate race ratings, two Democratic seats in West Virginia and Montana are likely to be won by Republicans, with another seat in Ohio rated as a toss-up.
While Democrats are hoping to secure unexpected wins in states like Texas and Florida, Republicans are on track to potentially hold a slim majority in the Senate next year. If Republicans maintain their current seats and flip just one Democratic seat, they could control the chamber with the tie-breaking vote of the vice president, or win two seats regardless of the presidential race outcome.
It's worth noting that neither party is expected to have a supermajority in the Senate, which is significant due to the tradition of respecting the filibuster. Typically, major legislation requires 60 votes to pass, but both parties have found ways to bypass this rule in recent years.
Republicans managed to pass tax cuts under former President Donald Trump without 60 votes, while Democrats did the same with their Inflation Reduction Act, which includes provisions aimed at transitioning the US to a more environmentally friendly economy.
