With the election on the horizon, America’s eyes are glued to battleground states. Days after the national election, however, a new battleground will emerge in the United States Senate. Even if Donald Trump wins the White House, he could quietly lose his ability to govern in the Senate.
With Sen. Mitch McConnell stepping down, Senate Republicans will choose a new leader for the first time in 18 years this November. With this decision, we have an opportunity to decide how the Senate conducts business going forward – and the ability to either strengthen or undermine a second Trump term.
The Stakes
Should Trump win a second term, he will have only four years to implement his agenda and reverse the tide of radical progressivism swamping our government and weakening our country. With the uncertainty of 2026 midterms and the inevitable legislative lethargy during campaign seasons, those four years for lawmaking suddenly become much shorter. We cannot afford to lose any time in energetically passing America First policies.
The Divide Within
Practically all Senate Republicans understand that four more years of recycled Biden policies would be a disaster for millions of Americans and their families. But not every Republican in Congress is aligned with Trump’s vision for the country. Some see themselves as stewards of a more moderate brand of conservatism. Still others disagree on policy areas from trade to immigration to foreign policy.
The Path Forward
How Senate Republicans choose to conduct business going forward – and whom they choose as a leader – will determine whether those disagreements lead to infighting that foils President Trump’s agenda, allowing Democrats the upper hand in policy battles. If we hope to quickly pass a legislative agenda that will make America great again, we need to find a way to resolve and overcome these differences.
Even with a Senate majority, Republicans will probably lack the 60 votes needed to pass most legislation, including crucial spending bills that define what the executive branch can and can’t do. Trump’s second term could turn into a series of compromises that accomplish little.
