Republicans win control of the Senate. This has serious consequences.

Editor's Note, November 6, 6 a.m. ET: Donald Trump won the 2024 presidential election. You can find more information about our 2024 campaign coverage here. To support independent journalism that matters, Become a Vox member today.

Republicans have won the majority in the Senate, flipping the body after four years of Democratic control.

This was the predicted outcome, given how vulnerable Democrats were this cycle: While they defended nine contested seats, Republicans only defended three. The GOP successfully flipped key states, including Montana, Ohio and West Virginia, while fending off unexpected competitive challenges in places like Nebraska and Texas.

The new Senate Republican majority will have a chance to govern with a Republican in the White House after former President Donald Trump won a second term early Wednesday morning, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris.

In their campaigns, Republican Senate candidates relied heavily on criticism of Democrats' economic policies as many voters continued to struggle with inflation and the high cost of living. They continued to stoke fears about immigration, arguing that only they could offer solutions to the 2023 surge in border crossings. Because they did not control the Senate, Republican candidates as a whole were able to capitalize on anti-immigration. The incumbent's mood – and current dissatisfaction – changed as they campaigned to retake certain seats.

The Republican successes will have a major impact on the new Trump administration. A Republican Senate will give him a virtual blank check for appointments and allow him to repopulate the courts with his judges. Depending on the outcome of the House elections, a Republican Senate could also allow the second Trump administration to pursue policy priorities such as rolling back the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and renewing corporate tax cuts.

What Republican Senate Control Will Mean

The first Trump presidency was a showcase for what happens when both the White House and Senate are occupied by Republicans — and a preview of what's to come.

In his first term, Trump managed to expand his judicial base at a rapid pace by reshaping the District Court and Supreme Court with conservative nominees. In total, Trump was able to confirm 234 justices, including the three now on the Supreme Court who proved instrumental in the ouster Roe v. Wade.

Similarly, Trump has faced little backlash or accountability for his rhetoric or policy decisions throughout his time in office, including attempts to impose a ban on Muslims entering the country or shutting down the government to block funding for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border make possible. Although some Republican senators spoke out, few actually voiced their opposition to Trump or questioned his actions. For example, when Trump was impeached for his role in inciting the insurrection on January 6, only seven Republicans voted to convict him – the rest voted to acquit, and only three of those votes to convict will be cast again in the new Congress.

If Republicans retain control of the House, a unified GOP Congress could also help Trump advance his legislative agenda.

Trump has focused more on executive actions he would like to take (e.g. tariffs, immigration and international relations) than on a congressional agenda. However, Republicans have long expressed interest in restricting access to the ACA. One issue lawmakers will address next year is the expiration of ACA premium subsidies, Stat reports. House Speaker Mike Johnson has already emphasized that he is also interested in comprehensive “reform” of the health care law.

The tax cuts that Republicans passed in 2017 are also up for renewal and will be another issue for lawmakers to address in the next Congress. Trump has proposed a cut in the corporate tax rate and has also introduced some income tax cuts. Regardless of whether they win the House, Republicans in the Senate are likely to push for these cuts. And Republicans could also push for an expansion of oil and gas drilling leases, which Democrats had previously limited.

Many of these priorities will depend on the outcome of the race for control of the House of Representatives – but with Trump in the White House, the upper chamber will definitely play an important role.

Update, Wednesday, November 6, 9:15 a.m. ET: This article has been updated to reflect the results of the presidential election.

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