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Relevance: GS-II (International Relations & Comparative Polity) | Source: The Hindu
The Context: Fueled by public frustration over rising living costs, the opposition Democratic Party has captured control of both houses of the U.S. Congress in the midterm elections. This major political shift effectively puts the brakes on President Donald Trump’s legislative plans for the final two years of his term and brings constitutional rules — like impeachment and checks on executive power — back into focus.
1. Key Takeaways from the Election
- Both Chambers Flipped: The Democrats secured majorities in both the lower chamber (winning at least 237 of 435 House seats) and the upper chamber (taking at least 54 of 100 Senate seats).
- Major State Upsets: Voters flipped long-held Republican strongholds across states like Texas, Ohio, Kansas, and Iowa. In a historic first, Michigan elected Abdul El-Sayed as the first Muslim member of the U.S. Senate.
2. How the U.S. Congress Works (Comparative Polity)
- What are Midterms? Held halfway through a President’s four-year term, midterm elections decide who controls Congress. Every two years, all 435 House seats and one-third of the 100 Senate seats go up for election.
- House of Representatives (Lower House): Has 435 members serving short 2-year terms, with seats divided based on state population. It holds the exclusive power to introduce money/revenue bills and initiate impeachment charges.
- The Senate (Upper House): Has 100 members serving staggered 6-year terms. Every state gets two senators regardless of population size (unlike India’s Rajya Sabha, where seats depend on state population). The Senate holds the exclusive power to approve international treaties and confirm top presidential appointments, including Supreme Court judges.
Practice MCQ
Q. Consider the following statements comparing the legislative and constitutional frameworks of India and the United States:
- Unlike India’s Rajya Sabha where representation is based on population, every state in the United States is allotted an equal number of seats in the Senate regardless of its population.
- Similar to the Indian Parliament under Article 61, impeachment charges against the U.S. President can be initiated in either the House of Representatives or the Senate.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a) 1 only
Hint: Statement 1 is correct; all 50 U.S. states get exactly two Senators each, whereas seats in India’s Rajya Sabha (Fourth Schedule) vary by population. Statement 2 is incorrect because in the U.S., the House of Representatives holds the sole power to initiate impeachment, while the Senate holds the sole power to conduct the trial (in India, either House can initiate).
Hint: Statement 1 is correct; all 50 U.S. states get exactly two Senators each, whereas seats in India’s Rajya Sabha (Fourth Schedule) vary by population. Statement 2 is incorrect because in the U.S., the House of Representatives holds the sole power to initiate impeachment, while the Senate holds the sole power to conduct the trial (in India, either House can initiate).
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