The Democrats are set to take control of both houses of the US Congress. After their big win in the election, the House of Representatives and the Senate will pass to them from the start of the new year.
That will give them room to scrutinise President Donald Trump’s administration and to shape policy decisions. But even with Congress in their hands, delivering on all their promises will not be easy.
What the Democrats can do
Through congressional committees, the Democrats will be able to investigate the Trump administration’s conduct, in particular the Trump family’s business interests, alleged corruption, abuse of power, immigration policy and the Epstein files.
With control of the Senate, they will also have a say over appointments to Trump’s cabinet and the judiciary, and can block a Supreme Court nomination if they choose.
The House will also give the Democrats the power to start impeachment proceedings against Trump. But convicting him in the Senate after an impeachment takes a two-thirds majority, or 67 votes, so removing him from office would be hard.
What the Democrats cannot do
Even with majorities in both houses, Trump as president keeps the power to reject legislation with his veto. A bill that passes generally cannot take effect without the president’s signature.
Overriding Trump’s veto needs two-thirds support in both the House and the Senate, a majority the Democrats are unlikely to reach. They may therefore face obstacles in delivering on health care, lowering the cost of living and other campaign promises.
Fully controlling Trump’s foreign policy will also be difficult. On ending the war with Iran or limiting military action in particular, Congress’s powers are tangled in legal and constitutional questions.
Party unity is also a challenge
Besides Republican opposition, differences among the Democrats themselves could become a major obstacle. The party is divided on continued US military aid to Israel, on health care and on foreign policy.
Republicans, meanwhile, preparing for the 2028 presidential election, will not want to make political success easy for the Democrats.
Overall, control of Congress will widen the Democrats’ room to oversee and investigate the Trump administration and to pass legislation. But the president’s veto, the lack of the special majorities needed in the Senate and the party’s internal divisions could make major policy change hard to achieve.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report