Republicans are fighting to preserve their Senate majority in the midterm elections, with Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso saying losing control would deprive them of control over President Donald Trump’s nominees and that, if Democrats win both chambers, Republicans could not expect quick dismissals of impeachment trials.
Republicans can lose up to three seats and still keep the Senate majority, but any further losses would carry immense consequences. Most Republicans already consider North Carolina lost to Democrats.
Losing the Senate would deprive Republicans of control over President Donald Trump’s nominees, including lifetime judicial appointments. If the House flips Democratic, Republicans could face a series of impeachment trials for Cabinet members and potentially the president himself.
“The two oldest members of the Supreme Court are both Republican [appointees]. We want to make sure that if one of them decides to retire, or both, in the next two years, that President Trump can make an appointment that will get confirmed in the United States Senate,” Barrasso told Semafor on Monday while campaigning in Iowa.
Republicans can quickly table impeachment trials with a simple majority if they keep Senate control. Barrasso said the party needs to ensure such cases “are dealt with quickly in the Senate and are not allowed to be dragged out, which is what you'd have with a Democrat majority.”
Barrasso pointed to Michigan as a key pickup opportunity after Democratic Representative Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers, despite polls showing Democrat Abdul El-Sayed ahead. Stevens' endorsement "brings more energy and more attention to that race, and it's going to help in Michigan," Barrasso said, predicting it would boost GOP turnout.
In Alaska, Republicans are hoping an eleventh-hour controversy boosts Senator Dan Sullivan. The New York Times reported that Democrat Mary Peltola's campaign allies worked to recruit a spoiler candidate who might siphon votes from Sullivan. "The more people that know about the situation, I think the more it's going to help Sen. Dan Sullivan. I believe he wins the race," Barrasso said.
Barrasso also expressed confidence in Senator Susan Collins's reelection bid in Maine against Democrat Troy Jackson, a seat Collins has held since 1996.
If Republicans flip the Michigan seat, Democrats would need to net five pickups elsewhere, requiring wins in a majority of races across eight GOP-held states. Barrasso described President Trump's rallies as critical for driving base turnout in a cycle that is typically brutal for modern presidents.
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Analysis
Why This Matters
Senate control determines whether President Trump can confirm judicial nominees, including potential Supreme Court vacancies.
A Republican Senate can quickly dismiss impeachment trials; a Democratic majority would likely prolong them.
The outcome will shape the legislative agenda for the remainder of Trump's term.
Background
Tuesday's midterm elections will decide control of both chambers of Congress. Republicans currently hold a narrow Senate majority, but midterms typically penalize the president's party. The GOP's strategy relies on energizing its base in key battlegrounds while defending incumbents.
Key Perspectives
Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso: Argues that keeping the Senate is essential for confirming President Trump's nominees and preventing lengthy impeachment proceedings. He expressed optimism about races in Michigan, Alaska, and Maine, citing a key Democratic endorsement in Michigan and a controversy in Alaska as advantages.
What to Watch
Results from Michigan and Alaska, where the races are closest and could determine which party controls the Senate.
Whether the Republican base turns out strongly in a challenging political environment.
The performance of Senator Susan Collins in Maine, a seat that has been reliably Republican for decades.
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.
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SupportedRepublicans are battling to hold their Senate majority.Semafor: “Republicans keep Senate hopes alive, mindful of the majority’s power.”
SupportedRepublicans can lose up to three seats and still keep the Senate majority.Semafor: “Republicans can lose up to three seats today and still keep the Senate majority.”
Partly supportedBarrasso said losing Senate control would deprive Republicans of control over Trump’s nominees.Semafor: “Losing the Senate would deprive Republicans of control over President Donald Trump’s nominees — including lifetime judicial appointments. “The two oldest members of the Supreme Court are both Republican [appointees]. We want to make sure that if one of them decides to retire, or both, in the next two years, that President Trump can make an appointment that will get confirmed in the United States Senate,””
Partly supportedBarrasso said Republicans could not expect quick dismissals of impeachment trials if Democrats won both chambers.Semafor: “Next year, if Democrats claim the majority in both chambers, the GOP can’t expect quick dismissals. AD “We’re going to need to be able to make sure that those are dealt with quickly in the Senate and are not allowed to be dragged out, which is what you’d have with a Democrat majority,” Barrasso added.”
SupportedBarrasso said the two oldest Supreme Court members are Republican appointees and urged ensuring Trump could appoint a successor if one or both retire in the next two years.Semafor: ““The two oldest members of the Supreme Court are both Republican [appointees]. We want to make sure that if one of them decides to retire, or both, in the next two years, that President Trump can make an appointment that will get confirmed in the United States Senate,” Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., told Semafor”
SupportedIf the House flips Democratic, Republicans could face impeachment trials for Cabinet members and possibly the president.Semafor: “And provided the House flips Democratic, Republicans could see a procession of impeachment trials for Cabinet members — and perhaps even the president.”
SupportedBarrasso said impeachment cases should be dealt with quickly in the Senate and not dragged out under a Democratic majority.Semafor: ““We’re going to need to be able to make sure that those are dealt with quickly in the Senate and are not allowed to be dragged out, which is what you’d have with a Democrat majority,” Barrasso added.”
SupportedBarrasso said Stevens’ endorsement would bring more energy and attention to the Michigan race and help there.Semafor: “Stevens’ endorsement “brings more energy and more attention to that race, and it’s going to help in Michigan,” Barrasso said.”
SupportedThe latest Michigan polls showed Democrat Abdul El-Sayed ahead of Mike Rogers.Semafor: “The last batch of Michigan polls still show Democrat Abdul El-Sayed ahead of Rogers”
SupportedThe New York Times reported that Mary Peltola’s campaign allies worked to recruit a spoiler candidate who might siphon votes from Dan Sullivan.Semafor: “Republicans are praying that enough Alaskans saw The New York Times’ story on Democrat Mary Peltola’s campaign allies working to recruit a spoiler candidate who might siphon votes from GOP Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska.”
SupportedBarrasso said more people learning about the Alaska situation would help Sullivan and that he believed Sullivan would win.Semafor: ““The more people that know about the situation, I think the more it’s going to help Sen. Dan Sullivan. I believe he wins the race,” Barrasso said.”
SupportedIf Republicans flip Michigan, Democrats would need five pickups elsewhere, requiring wins in a majority of races across eight Republican-held states.Semafor: “If Republicans somehow flip the Michigan seat, Democrats would have to net five pick-ups elsewhere, which would mean winning a majority of races in eight GOP-held states: North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Maine, Alaska, Kansas, South Carolina and Iowa.”
Correction
An earlier version of this story added the word “That” to the start of Barrasso’s quoted remarks about Stevens’ endorsement. The quotation begins “brings more energy”.