Republicans picked up seven seats in the midterm elections, with results in three states still outstanding. It is expected that Republicans will have 54 total seats, and Democrats will have 46. In the House, Republicans added a net gain of at least 14 seats to their majority. Currently, Republicans hold 244 seats, while Democrats hold 180. Eleven additional House races, including seven in California, remain undecided.
Congress will return to session next week to hold leadership elections and wrap up legislative business for the 113th Congress. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is likely to be elected Majority Leader, with Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) becoming the new Minority Leader. Leadership in the House is likely to remain the same as well, with John Boehner (R-OH) remaining as Speaker, and Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) being re-elected as House Minority Leader.
There are several issues that Congress could choose to take up during the lame duck session, including:
- Fiscal Year 2015 appropriations
- Presidential nominations (possibly Attorney General)
- National Defense Authorization Act
Democrats will still be in control of the Senate during the lame duck session since the newly elected Members will not be sworn in until January 2015.