U.S. midterm elections: How they work and what to expect
- 5 years ago
Ahead of the U.S. midterms, the two major parties, namely the Republicans and the Democrats are both vying for control for the Congress and the Senate.
So how do the midterms work?
Our Cha Sang-mi explains.
So, here's what the U.S. midterms are all about.
Halfway through the president's four-year term,... there's a congressional election.
That's why.. they're called.. the mid-terms.
In the lower chamber,.. the House of Representatives, all 435 seats are up for grabs.
Those seats are apportioned.. based on the relative population of each state, so California gets the most with 53 seats -- Montana... gets one.
The members serve two-year terms.
In the upper chamber,.. the Senate, there are 100 seats, with each state getting two, regardless of population.
But this time around, only about a third of them... are up for grabs because senators serve for six years.
So right now, Republicans control both chambers.
In the House, they have around 40 more seats than the Democrats.
It's much tighter in the Senate, where the Republicans have only two more.
Having Republicans in control of both houses has been crucial to President Trump getting his tax cut through... and appointing two Supreme Court justices, to name just a few things.
Both the House and the Senate have to agree on a bill for it.. to go to the President and be signed into law.
But in some respects, the two chambers' roles.. are different.
For example, only the House can create tax bills, and only the Senate can confirm presidential nominations.
Also, the House is where proceedings begin for impeachment.
Some races are easy to call in districts that always vote either Republican or Democrat.
But other ones could be really close.
For example,
a close Trump ally, Devin Nunes from California is in a tight race. So is Senator Ted Cruz of Texas.
Also, the Speaker of the House, Republican Paul Ryan, is stepping down.
So if the Republicans win... they'll pick a new speaker, and if the Democrats take the House,.. they'll likely choose the veteran progressive from San Francisco, Nancy Pelosi.
Some American pundits have called it
the most important midterm election in their lifetimes.
It remains to be seen, but for now the latest polling data shows the House leans in favor of the Democrats and the Senate is likely to go to the Republicans.
Cha Sang-mi, Arirang News.
So how do the midterms work?
Our Cha Sang-mi explains.
So, here's what the U.S. midterms are all about.
Halfway through the president's four-year term,... there's a congressional election.
That's why.. they're called.. the mid-terms.
In the lower chamber,.. the House of Representatives, all 435 seats are up for grabs.
Those seats are apportioned.. based on the relative population of each state, so California gets the most with 53 seats -- Montana... gets one.
The members serve two-year terms.
In the upper chamber,.. the Senate, there are 100 seats, with each state getting two, regardless of population.
But this time around, only about a third of them... are up for grabs because senators serve for six years.
So right now, Republicans control both chambers.
In the House, they have around 40 more seats than the Democrats.
It's much tighter in the Senate, where the Republicans have only two more.
Having Republicans in control of both houses has been crucial to President Trump getting his tax cut through... and appointing two Supreme Court justices, to name just a few things.
Both the House and the Senate have to agree on a bill for it.. to go to the President and be signed into law.
But in some respects, the two chambers' roles.. are different.
For example, only the House can create tax bills, and only the Senate can confirm presidential nominations.
Also, the House is where proceedings begin for impeachment.
Some races are easy to call in districts that always vote either Republican or Democrat.
But other ones could be really close.
For example,
a close Trump ally, Devin Nunes from California is in a tight race. So is Senator Ted Cruz of Texas.
Also, the Speaker of the House, Republican Paul Ryan, is stepping down.
So if the Republicans win... they'll pick a new speaker, and if the Democrats take the House,.. they'll likely choose the veteran progressive from San Francisco, Nancy Pelosi.
Some American pundits have called it
the most important midterm election in their lifetimes.
It remains to be seen, but for now the latest polling data shows the House leans in favor of the Democrats and the Senate is likely to go to the Republicans.
Cha Sang-mi, Arirang News.