Next US Congress faces prospect of gridlock

Significance

While President Joe Biden's administration was prepared for the prospect of divided government, the slim majority will pose challenges for the Republican leadership as it concentrates on strategies for the 2024 elections.

Impacts

• Democrats will try to maximise the benefits of their House majority during the final weeks of the current congressional session.
• House Republicans will set up a new Select Committee on China, covering an area on which the two parties are fairly close.
• With Congress gridlocked, state legislatures will have more say on a range of issues including public safety and election reform.
• If Biden announces that he is running for a second term, Republicans will focus on issues involving his age.