Democrats seem to be fending off a Republican challenge to take control of the U.S. Senate in this year's election but neither is likely to win a super majority necessary to break the legislative logjam in the chamber
WASHINGTON – The Congress fell to new depths of public disapproval in the past two years, yet no big
shake-up of the Senate or House of Representatives is expected in Tuesday's general election
With days remaining before the vote, Democrats were expected to fend off what is seen as a fading Republican challenge for control of the Senate, with a 50-50 tie also a possibility.
The most likely victor is the status quo, with neither Democrats nor Republicans on track to win the super-majority necessary to quickly advance legislation, leaving each party capable of blocking almost anything they please
Coupled with a House of Representatives that is expected to stay in Republican hands, the Congress to be sworn in next January to grapple with daunting budget and tax controversies may look an awful lot like the current, deeply divided legislature.
Whether it has any more success carrying out its basic responsibilities is an open question. Scholars of Congress generally regard the current version as one of the least productive - and most destructive - in modern history
It has failed to complete its most fundamental task of appropriating money to run the government, except on a temporary basis. The showdown in 2011 over the debt ceiling between Republicans and Democrats resulted in a downgrading of the U.S. government's creditworthiness.
In return, the public has disapproved of Congress at record levels, with the lowest rating of 10 percent coming in August, according to a Gallup poll
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