Slim majority will test US Republicans

Significance

Jones won a special election on December 12, 2017, the first Democrat to win a US Senate seat in Alabama for years. His win means that the Republican Party’s Senate majority is reduced to just 51 of 100 seats in Washington, as Jones replaced a Republican senator.

Impacts

• Republicans may have to reduce their majorities on Senate committees, lending Democrats more visibility.
• Republicans may have to delay sweeping reforms on immigration, health insurance, national infrastructure improvement and welfare.
• Democrats could present limited legislative activity as Republicans’ fault, aiding Democrats in November’s midterm elections.