But he conceded the results — which were still pouring in Wednesday, leaving control of Congress up in the air — showed voters remained concerned about the effects of high inflation, along with public safety and the rising cost of living. “While the press and pundits were predicting a huge red wave, we didn’t have it,” Biden told reporters from the White House. “Another thing we know is that voters have spoken clearly about their concerns…. Voters were also clear that they are still disappointed. I understand.”
Read more: US midterms — Why a ‘stimulus’ performance by Democrats could bring stability to Canada
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US midterms: Why a ‘stimulus’ performance by Democrats could bring stability to Canada
Story continues below ad Although dozens of races remained too close to call as of Wednesday afternoon, Republicans appeared poised to gain control of the House and could have another chance to flip the fragile Senate next month when a race high profile in Georgia is headed for a runoff. But the party underperformed in a midterm year that historically serves as a rebuke to the party in the White House. Earlier projections had predicted Republicans would gain a House advantage of at least 10 seats and 30, but it appeared as of Wednesday that its majority would be slim, possibly only by a few seats. That could give Democrats an opportunity to take votes away from Republicans to continue pushing Biden’s agenda or help them block legislation being pushed by Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the man widely expected to become the next president. of the Parliament, who will have authority for the bills to reach the Parliament for a vote. But McCarthy’s path to the speakership could be complicated by a thinner Republican majority, with some far-right members openly calling for an alternative candidate more aligned with former President Donald Trump’s populist “America First” agenda. while criticizing McCarthy’s own predictions of a resounding victory. “Look, they told us we were going to have an incredible, incredible surge,” Republican Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona, leader of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, said in an online stream. Story continues below ad “If that was the case,” with a margin of 20, 30 or 40 seats, “you would say, ‘Well, OK, Kevin is the presumptive Republican nominee for speaker.’ But I think we need to have a serious discussion.” 3:22 USA midterms: Biden says House results ‘close’, reflects potential Republican control What Democrats won’t be able to stop are Republican efforts to scrutinize the Biden administration. The party has vowed to launch congressional investigations into the president’s handling of COVID-19, the withdrawal from Afghanistan, security on the southern border and even Biden’s family. Some fringe members have openly called for impeachment proceedings against Biden and members of his administration, including Attorney General Merrick Garland. “Good luck in your senior year, as my coach used to say,” Biden laughed when asked about those potential inquiries. Current trend
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Republicans could also use upcoming votes to raise the nation’s debt limit or use government funding as leverage to advance their legislative priorities, which could trigger a financial crisis or government shutdown — nightmare scenarios for a White House aimed at fighting inflation and a fragile economy. Story continues below ad Biden vowed to continue working across the board on the legislation, adding that he hoped Republicans in Congress would do the same. But he drew a line at any legislation from Republicans “that would worsen inflation,” including tax cuts for wealthy Americans and corporations, and efforts to cut aid to Ukraine or otherwise weaken America’s foreign policy. “I’m not going to change anything in any fundamental way,” he said, referring to his agenda, while also rejecting Republican campaign pledges to vote on whether to continue Social Security and Medicare aid for seniors and low-income Americans. The president added that he expects to meet with McCarthy “soon.” The two have had a frosty relationship and have rarely seen each other since Biden took office. 3:40 USA midterms: Georgia heads to runoff for crucial Senate seat as no clear winner emerges The Senate is expected to remain nearly evenly divided regardless of what happens in Georgia, where neither Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock nor Republican challenger Herschel Walker won more than 50 percent of the vote. Warnock edged out Walker in the final vote count, suggesting he may retain the hotly contested seat. Story continues below ad Democrats scored a major victory in Pennsylvania, where John Fetterman narrowly beat Republican and celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz to flip the seat from red to blue. Fetterman will replace retiring Republican Sen. Pat Toomey. But Republicans could return the favor in Nevada, where Adam Laxalt leads Democratic incumbent Sen. Kathryn Cortez Masto by three points. The race had not yet been called by The Associated Press as of Wednesday afternoon. Another yet-to-be contested race, in Arizona, saw incumbent Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly lead Republican Blake Masters, who has been one of the most ardent supporters of Trump and his false allegations of voter fraud.
Read more: Tight US midterm races leave control of Congress up in the air as Republicans seek gains
Several Democratic governors also fended off challenges from Republicans endorsed by Trump, including in Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Democrats also led in some high-profile races that remained too close to call, including Oregon and Arizona. Arizona Republican gubernatorial candidate Cary Lake has been among the most vocal detractors of the election during the midterms and raised doubts about the state’s slow vote count. Biden, who has repeatedly warned that democracy itself was on the ballot by showing candidates denying the GOP election, said Wednesday that the results showed voters had rejected those efforts. Story continues below ad “Our democracy has been tested in recent years, but with their votes, the American people have spoken and proven once again that democracy is who we are,” he said. 1:57 USA midterms: Biden appears to signal no change in re-election plans He added that the results would not change his plans for re-election in 2024. Trump has promised to make “a big announcement” next Tuesday, which is expected to launch his own re-election bid. “I don’t feel any rush one way or the other to make that judgment — today, tomorrow or whenever — whatever my predecessor does,” Biden said, predicting he would make a decision by next year. Asked later to respond to voters and even members of his own party who say they don’t want Biden to run again, he simply replied: “Look at me.” More to come… Story continues below ad 6:21 Recap of US midterm election results
