New Mexico Senator's stroke leaves Democrats short of a majority
Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., is expected to make a full recovery after surgery to relieve pressure on his brain following a stroke.
But an uncertain timetable for his Senate return has Democrats effectively ceding the majority to Republicans on a temporary basis. That could mean further setbacks for a Biden administration agenda already stymied by Dems' razor-thin majority and opposition to key legislation by players in his own party.
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Optimistic outlooks aside, mathematics makes the lawmaker's absence a significant complication for his party. A leave by Luján, 49, results in Democrats having 49 votes -- 47 Dems and two independents who caucus with them -- versus 50 Republicans.
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This could delay, at a minimum, Biden's attempt to name a new Supreme Court Justice and push some of his other priorities.
See, also:
Senator’s Stroke Panics Democrats Over 50/50 Split in Chamber
“Democrats on the Commerce Committee, which Luján is a member of, almost immediately yanked three nominations that were expected to get votes on Wednesday”
And:
Does the Senate-SCOTUS calculus change with Luján's absence?
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