Texas Democrat Julian Castro, a former San Antonio mayor who went on to be the top US housing official, announced his White House bid on Saturday, the first Hispanic in what looks to be a crowded field of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/tulsi-gabbard-to-run-for-president-in-2020-will-make-formal-announcement-soon-189728">candidates vying to challenge President Donald Trump</a> in the November 2020 election.

Castro, 44, the grandson of a Mexican immigrant, served as secretary of Housing and Urban Development under former President Barack Obama and has long been viewed as a rising star in the party. He will seek to position himself as a political outsider with liberal credentials.

Castro has endorsed the "Medicare for all" proposal, which would in effect create a national health care plan by allowing anyone to join the public health care system. That policy point is likely to divide Democrats in the primary, with more moderate candidates favouring a less drastic approach.

Castro, whose grandmother was born in Mexico, has sought to use his family's personal story to criticise Trump's border policies.

More than a dozen potential Democratic candidates are exploring a possible run for president in 2020. Moderates and progressives in the party have been debating about how to best challenge Trump, the likely Republican nominee.

Some Democrats believe an establishment figure who can appeal to centrist voters is the way to win back the White House. Others contend a fresh face is needed to energize the party's increasingly left-leaning base.

Castro, who was considered on the short list to be Hillary Clinton's running mate in the 2016 election, will try to leverage his Obama administration experience while making the case he is still a political newcomer.

Castro's identical twin brother, Joaquin Castro, is a member of the US House of Representatives from Texas. Joaquin Castro's position on the House Intelligence Committee has made him a frequent public critic of the president.

Texas Democrat Julian Castro, a former San Antonio mayor who went on to be the top US housing official, announced his White House bid on Saturday, the first Hispanic in what looks to be a crowded field of candidates vying to challenge President Donald Trump in the November 2020 election.

Texas Democrat Julian Castro, a former San Antonio mayor who went on to be the top US housing official, announced his White House bid on Saturday, the first Hispanic in what looks to be a crowded field of candidates vying to challenge President Donald Trump in the November 2020 election. Castro, 44, the grandson of a Mexican immigrant, served as secretary of Housing and Urban Development under former President Barack Obama and has long been viewed as a rising star in the party. He will seek to position himself as a political outsider with liberal credentials. Castro has endorsed the "Medicare for all" proposal, which would in effect create a national health care plan by allowing anyone to join the public health care system. That policy point is likely to divide Democrats in the primary, with more moderate candidates favouring a less drastic approach. Castro, whose grandmother was born in Mexico, has sought to use his family's personal story to criticise Trump's border policies. More than a dozen potential Democratic candidates are exploring a possible run for president in 2020. Moderates and progressives in the party have been debating about how to best challenge Trump, the likely Republican nominee. Some Democrats believe an establishment figure who can appeal to centrist voters is the way to win back the White House. Others contend a fresh face is needed to energize the party's increasingly left-leaning base. Castro, who was considered on the short list to be Hillary Clinton's running mate in the 2016 election, will try to leverage his Obama administration experience while making the case he is still a political newcomer. Castro's identical twin brother, Joaquin Castro, is a member of the US House of Representatives from Texas. Joaquin Castro's position on the House Intelligence Committee has made him a frequent public critic of the president.

Democrat Julian Castro of Texas launches 2020 US presidential bid

A partial shutdown of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-calls-democrats-plan-to-end-shutdown-non-starter-187935">US government </a>entered a 12th day Wednesday as President Donald Trump prepared to meet top Democratic and Republican lawmakers in a bid to break the impasse over his demand for funding for a border wall with Mexico.

One day before Democrats take over control of the House of Representatives, Trump showed no signs of backing away from his insistence on $5 billion for his "beautiful" southern wall.

"President Trump wants an agreement that reopens the government AND keeps Americans safe," the White House tweeted.

It said senior officials from the Department of Homeland Security would provide a "border security briefing" at the White House later in the day to top Democratic lawmakers Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer. Earlier Wednesday, Trump was to meet with his cabinet.

It will be Trump's first meeting with Pelosi, who will take over as speaker of the House on Thursday, and Schumer, the Senate minority leader, since an acrimonious Oval Office meeting with the pair on December 11.

Amid the stalemate over the wall, Trump shelved his annual Christmas vacation in Florida, choosing to remain in Washington and fire off a stream of angry -- and often misleading -- tweets.

"Much of the Wall has already been renovated or built," he asserted on Wednesday along with the dubious claim that Mexico would pay for the wall through the new trade deal negotiated between the two countries.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders accused Democrats of refusing to compromise.

"President Trump made a serious, good faith offer to Democrats to open the government, address the crisis at our border, and protect all Americans," Sanders said.

She described a plan put forward by Pelosi as a "non-starter because it does not fund our homeland security or keep American families safe from human trafficking, drugs, and crime."

Romney criticizes Trump 

Democrats say the border wall, one of Trump's key campaign promises, is a distraction from more complicated immigration problems and a tool for Trump to whip up support among his conservative base.

The standoff resulted in swaths of the federal government being shut down over the Christmas and New Year holidays -- and for the foreseeable future until a deal is reached.

Pelosi is proposing a budget that would fund most government agencies through September 30 with the exception of the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees border security and would only receive funding through February 8.

Republicans lost 40 seats and their majority in the House in the November midterm elections but they retained control of the Senate.

Sixty votes, however, are needed to advance legislation in the Senate, requiring Democratic support.

Republican Representative Steve Scalise called on Democrats on Wednesday to come to an agreement and accused them of "playing games with the safety of our country."

"The time for political games is over," Scalise said in an opinion piece for Fox News. "Lives are at stake."&nbsp;

Republican Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, has said he will only schedule a vote on a deal that has the support of both the House and Trump.

Adding to the uncertainty in Washington, an incoming senator, former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, lashed out at Trump on Tuesday in an opinion piece in The Washington Post.

"Trump's words and actions have caused dismay around the world," wrote Romney, who was elected to the Senate in November from his home state of Utah.

"I do not intend to comment on every tweet or fault," Romney said. "But I will speak out against significant statements or actions that are divisive, racist, sexist, anti-immigrant, dishonest or destructive to democratic institutions." 
&nbsp;

A partial shutdown of the US government entered a 12th day Wednesday as President Donald Trump prepared to meet top Democratic and Republican lawmakers in a bid to break the impasse over his demand for funding for a border wall with Mexico.

A partial shutdown of the US government entered a 12th day Wednesday as President Donald Trump prepared to meet top Democratic and Republican lawmakers in a bid to break the impasse over his demand for funding for a border wall with Mexico. One day before Democrats take over control of the House of Representatives, Trump showed no signs of backing away from his insistence on $5 billion for his "beautiful" southern wall. "President Trump wants an agreement that reopens the government AND keeps Americans safe," the White House tweeted. It said senior officials from the Department of Homeland Security would provide a "border security briefing" at the White House later in the day to top Democratic lawmakers Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer. Earlier Wednesday, Trump was to meet with his cabinet. It will be Trump's first meeting with Pelosi, who will take over as speaker of the House on Thursday, and Schumer, the Senate minority leader, since an acrimonious Oval Office meeting with the pair on December 11. Amid the stalemate over the wall, Trump shelved his annual Christmas vacation in Florida, choosing to remain in Washington and fire off a stream of angry -- and often misleading -- tweets. "Much of the Wall has already been renovated or built," he asserted on Wednesday along with the dubious claim that Mexico would pay for the wall through the new trade deal negotiated between the two countries. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders accused Democrats of refusing to compromise. "President Trump made a serious, good faith offer to Democrats to open the government, address the crisis at our border, and protect all Americans," Sanders said. She described a plan put forward by Pelosi as a "non-starter because it does not fund our homeland security or keep American families safe from human trafficking, drugs, and crime." Romney criticizes Trump Democrats say the border wall, one of Trump's key campaign promises, is a distraction from more complicated immigration problems and a tool for Trump to whip up support among his conservative base. The standoff resulted in swaths of the federal government being shut down over the Christmas and New Year holidays -- and for the foreseeable future until a deal is reached. Pelosi is proposing a budget that would fund most government agencies through September 30 with the exception of the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees border security and would only receive funding through February 8. Republicans lost 40 seats and their majority in the House in the November midterm elections but they retained control of the Senate. Sixty votes, however, are needed to advance legislation in the Senate, requiring Democratic support. Republican Representative Steve Scalise called on Democrats on Wednesday to come to an agreement and accused them of "playing games with the safety of our country." "The time for political games is over," Scalise said in an opinion piece for Fox News. "Lives are at stake." Republican Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, has said he will only schedule a vote on a deal that has the support of both the House and Trump. Adding to the uncertainty in Washington, an incoming senator, former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, lashed out at Trump on Tuesday in an opinion piece in The Washington Post. "Trump's words and actions have caused dismay around the world," wrote Romney, who was elected to the Senate in November from his home state of Utah. "I do not intend to comment on every tweet or fault," Romney said. "But I will speak out against significant statements or actions that are divisive, racist, sexist, anti-immigrant, dishonest or destructive to democratic institutions."

Trump ready to meet lawmakers in a bid to end shutdown 

US&nbsp;Senator Elizabeth Warren, a liberal firebrand who has taken on Wall Street and traded barbs with Donald Trump, on Monday became the most prominent Democrat to announce a challenge to the Republican president in 2020.

Warren said she had formed an exploratory committee, which will allow her to begin raising money to compete in what is expected to be a crowded Democratic primary field before the November 2020 presidential election.

She said on Twitter she would announce her decision on whether to run early in 2019.

Warren, 69, a senator from Massachusetts since 2013, became one of Trump's fiercest critics during the 2016 presidential race and they have continued to exchange biting insults during his presidency. Trump mockingly refers to her as "Pocahontas" because of her claim to Native American ancestry.

Warren has denounced Trump as an "insecure money grubber" with a platform of "racism, sexism and xenophobia," while Trump has described the former Harvard Law School professor as "goofy" and a "lowlife" with "a nasty mouth."

On Monday, Warren released a video in which she outlined her vision of a path to opportunity for all Americans and charged that the US&nbsp;middle class was under attack from corporate interests. She later elaborated on the theme in an exchange with reporters outside her Cambridge, Massachusetts, home.

"America's middle class is getting hollowed out and opportunity for too many of our young people is shrinking," she said. "So I'm in this fight all the way. Right now Washington works great for the wealthy and the well connected. It's just not working for anyone else."

Trump, in a phone interview with Fox News, said he would love to run against Warren and again ridiculed her assertion of Native American ancestry. Asked if he thought Warren really believed she could defeat him, Trump said: "I don't know, you'd have to ask her psychiatrist."

The Democratic presidential field could eventually include Senators Kamala Harris, Cory Booker and Kirsten Gillibrand, as well as former Vice President Joe Biden. Julian Castro, former President Barack Obama's housing secretary, formed an exploratory committee this month.

Warren welcomed the "strong and growing group of Democrats" making arguments similar to those she is making, saying: "That's how we build a movement. We do it together."

In searching for a candidate to run against Trump, Democrats will grapple with the tension between the party's establishment and liberal progressive wings that flared during the 2016 nominating primaries between former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who ran under the Democratic banner.

A Warren candidacy can expect opposition from Wall Street. In the US&nbsp;Senate, she has been a strong voice on financial issues and a self-described defender of the ordinary American against powerful interests.

RESTRICTING BANKS

Following the 2007-2009 global financial crisis, Warren emerged as a leading critic of Wall Street and continues to advocate for stiffer regulation and oversight, including reinstating a rule that would separate banks’ retail business from their riskier investment banking activities.

Warren, a member of the Senate Banking Committee, has fought the Trump administration's efforts to weaken post-crisis financial rules, going as far as to attack moderate Democrats who backed a May rewrite of the 2010 Dodd-Frank reform law.

In a September interview marking 10 years since the financial crisis, Warren was asked about breaking up big banks. "Oh yeah," she told the New York Times. "Give me a chance."

She also has opposed the administration's efforts to undermine the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an agency she helped create, and has pressured the Federal Reserve to take a tough line on scandal-hit lender Wells Fargo &amp; Co.

Many of Warren's policy positions have focussed on economic inequality. She recently offered legislation calling on the US&nbsp;government to manufacture generic drugs to reduce their cost. In 2017, she joined other senators in a proposal to extend the federal Medicare health insurance programme for seniors to include everyone.

Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel dismissed her as "another extreme far-left obstructionist and a total fraud."

Warren's 80 percent name recognition does not translate into actual support, University of Virginia professor Larry Sabato said.

"Some Democrats swear by her and love her blunt style, while others are put off by her and fear she’d lose to Trump," he said. "Warren has a lot of convincing to do," adding the same is true of many other Democratic contenders.

Warren will begin campaigning soon in some of the states with early presidential nominating contests, a person familiar with her plans said.

Trump's use of Pocahontas, a 17th century Native American woman associated with the British colony in Jamestown, Virginia, was aimed at drawing attention to a controversy over her heritage raised during Warren’s 2012 Senate race.

Warren in October released a DNA analysis she said supported her assertion that she had Native American lineage.

Trump’s reference has drawn criticism from some Native American groups, while others criticized Warren for trying to lay claim to a tribal heritage.

US Senator Elizabeth Warren, a liberal firebrand who has taken on Wall Street and traded barbs with Donald Trump, on Monday became the most prominent Democrat to announce a challenge to the Republican president in 2020.

US Senator Elizabeth Warren, a liberal firebrand who has taken on Wall Street and traded barbs with Donald Trump, on Monday became the most prominent Democrat to announce a challenge to the Republican president in 2020. Warren said she had formed an exploratory committee, which will allow her to begin raising money to compete in what is expected to be a crowded Democratic primary field before the November 2020 presidential election. She said on Twitter she would announce her decision on whether to run early in 2019. Warren, 69, a senator from Massachusetts since 2013, became one of Trump's fiercest critics during the 2016 presidential race and they have continued to exchange biting insults during his presidency. Trump mockingly refers to her as "Pocahontas" because of her claim to Native American ancestry. Warren has denounced Trump as an "insecure money grubber" with a platform of "racism, sexism and xenophobia," while Trump has described the former Harvard Law School professor as "goofy" and a "lowlife" with "a nasty mouth." On Monday, Warren released a video in which she outlined her vision of a path to opportunity for all Americans and charged that the US middle class was under attack from corporate interests. She later elaborated on the theme in an exchange with reporters outside her Cambridge, Massachusetts, home. "America's middle class is getting hollowed out and opportunity for too many of our young people is shrinking," she said. "So I'm in this fight all the way. Right now Washington works great for the wealthy and the well connected. It's just not working for anyone else." Trump, in a phone interview with Fox News, said he would love to run against Warren and again ridiculed her assertion of Native American ancestry. Asked if he thought Warren really believed she could defeat him, Trump said: "I don't know, you'd have to ask her psychiatrist." The Democratic presidential field could eventually include Senators Kamala Harris, Cory Booker and Kirsten Gillibrand, as well as former Vice President Joe Biden. Julian Castro, former President Barack Obama's housing secretary, formed an exploratory committee this month. Warren welcomed the "strong and growing group of Democrats" making arguments similar to those she is making, saying: "That's how we build a movement. We do it together." In searching for a candidate to run against Trump, Democrats will grapple with the tension between the party's establishment and liberal progressive wings that flared during the 2016 nominating primaries between former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who ran under the Democratic banner. A Warren candidacy can expect opposition from Wall Street. In the US Senate, she has been a strong voice on financial issues and a self-described defender of the ordinary American against powerful interests. RESTRICTING BANKS Following the 2007-2009 global financial crisis, Warren emerged as a leading critic of Wall Street and continues to advocate for stiffer regulation and oversight, including reinstating a rule that would separate banks’ retail business from their riskier investment banking activities. Warren, a member of the Senate Banking Committee, has fought the Trump administration's efforts to weaken post-crisis financial rules, going as far as to attack moderate Democrats who backed a May rewrite of the 2010 Dodd-Frank reform law. In a September interview marking 10 years since the financial crisis, Warren was asked about breaking up big banks. "Oh yeah," she told the New York Times. "Give me a chance." She also has opposed the administration's efforts to undermine the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an agency she helped create, and has pressured the Federal Reserve to take a tough line on scandal-hit lender Wells Fargo & Co. Many of Warren's policy positions have focussed on economic inequality. She recently offered legislation calling on the US government to manufacture generic drugs to reduce their cost. In 2017, she joined other senators in a proposal to extend the federal Medicare health insurance programme for seniors to include everyone. Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel dismissed her as "another extreme far-left obstructionist and a total fraud." Warren's 80 percent name recognition does not translate into actual support, University of Virginia professor Larry Sabato said. "Some Democrats swear by her and love her blunt style, while others are put off by her and fear she’d lose to Trump," he said. "Warren has a lot of convincing to do," adding the same is true of many other Democratic contenders. Warren will begin campaigning soon in some of the states with early presidential nominating contests, a person familiar with her plans said. Trump's use of Pocahontas, a 17th century Native American woman associated with the British colony in Jamestown, Virginia, was aimed at drawing attention to a controversy over her heritage raised during Warren’s 2012 Senate race. Warren in October released a DNA analysis she said supported her assertion that she had Native American lineage. Trump’s reference has drawn criticism from some Native American groups, while others criticized Warren for trying to lay claim to a tribal heritage.

Democrat Warren takes step to challenge Trump in 2020 presidential polls

Democrat Andrew Gillum announced Saturday he was conceding his hard-fought race for Florida governor to his Republican rival, Ron DeSantis, vowing to keep fighting until he wins an election.

Gillum, who was aiming to become the state's first black chief executive, had vowed to keep in the race until every single vote was counted.

The race had gone to a recount, with results due by a Sunday deadline, as has a narrow Senate race between outgoing governor Rick Scott and incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson.

"I want to congratulate @RonDeSantisFL on becoming the next Governor of the great state of Florida," tweeted Gillum.

"We are going to keep fighting. We will keep working. And in the end, I believe that we will win. I am so thankful to each and every one of you."

Florida produced some of the nation's closest results in the November 6 midterm elections, including DeSantis's apparent narrow victory over Gillum.

"I can tell you, this has been the journey of our lives," Gillum said in a video posted on Facebook alongside his wife, R Jai.

For the Senate race, unofficial results show incumbent Nelson trailing Scott by about 12,600 votes out of more than 8.2 million cast, or 0.15 percentage points.

That narrow margin triggered a hand recount of problematic ballots, such as those where a voter filled in bubbles next to the names of Nelson and Scott.

Results are scheduled to be certified Tuesday.

Trump has repeatedly charged that Florida's elections were marred by vote fraud, but state and local authorities have said there is no evidence of wrongdoing.

In the neighbouring state of Georgia, Democrat Stacey Abrams, who was aiming to become the country's first ever black female governor, conceded to Republican Brian Kemp, Georgia's secretary of state.

They only had about a single percentage point between them.

She contemplated further legal action in the race, but her legal burden would have proven extremely steep.

In her concession speech on Friday, she cited hours-long lines at polling stations, thousands of voter registrations frozen before the election, and polling sites shuttered.

Democrat Andrew Gillum announced Saturday he was conceding his hard-fought race for Florida governor to his Republican rival, Ron DeSantis, vowing to keep fighting until he wins an election.

Democrat Andrew Gillum announced Saturday he was conceding his hard-fought race for Florida governor to his Republican rival, Ron DeSantis, vowing to keep fighting until he wins an election. Gillum, who was aiming to become the state's first black chief executive, had vowed to keep in the race until every single vote was counted. The race had gone to a recount, with results due by a Sunday deadline, as has a narrow Senate race between outgoing governor Rick Scott and incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson. "I want to congratulate @RonDeSantisFL on becoming the next Governor of the great state of Florida," tweeted Gillum. "We are going to keep fighting. We will keep working. And in the end, I believe that we will win. I am so thankful to each and every one of you." Florida produced some of the nation's closest results in the November 6 midterm elections, including DeSantis's apparent narrow victory over Gillum. "I can tell you, this has been the journey of our lives," Gillum said in a video posted on Facebook alongside his wife, R Jai. For the Senate race, unofficial results show incumbent Nelson trailing Scott by about 12,600 votes out of more than 8.2 million cast, or 0.15 percentage points. That narrow margin triggered a hand recount of problematic ballots, such as those where a voter filled in bubbles next to the names of Nelson and Scott. Results are scheduled to be certified Tuesday. Trump has repeatedly charged that Florida's elections were marred by vote fraud, but state and local authorities have said there is no evidence of wrongdoing. In the neighbouring state of Georgia, Democrat Stacey Abrams, who was aiming to become the country's first ever black female governor, conceded to Republican Brian Kemp, Georgia's secretary of state. They only had about a single percentage point between them. She contemplated further legal action in the race, but her legal burden would have proven extremely steep. In her concession speech on Friday, she cited hours-long lines at polling stations, thousands of voter registrations frozen before the election, and polling sites shuttered.

Democrat concedes to Republican in Florida governor race

The new Democrat majority in the US House of Representatives is likely to back President Donald Trump's trade war with China and could even egg him on, but will offer tougher scrutiny of his negotiations with allies, trade experts and lawmakers say.

Trump has imposed tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese goods to pressure Beijing to stop intellectual property theft and forced technology transfers, improve market access for US firms and cut its high-tech industrial subsidy program - major shifts away from China's state-led economic model.

Democrats, the traditional party of trade unions, largely support such moves, especially for their hoped-for effect on helping American workers.

"I think Trump has a free hand to pursue his aggressive approach. If anything, the Blue Wave (of Democrats) will be as hawkish, if not more hawkish, than Trump on China," Gary Hufbauer, a senior fellow and trade expert at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, said.

Beijing has retaliated by largely cutting off purchases of US soybeans and imposing its own tariffs on farm products, steps that some experts had believed could hurt farm state Republicans in Tuesday's congressional elections. China was the biggest buyer of US soybeans before the trade war.

But the tariffs were at best a minor issue in most races, even in hard-hit states such as North Dakota, Indiana and Missouri, which voted in Republican senators, strengthening Trump's hand in the chamber.

Scott Kennedy, head of China studies at the Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said there is growing bipartisan concern in Washington about increasing state control of China's economy, military activity in the South China Sea and security issues surrounding Chinese technology companies.

"President Trump has paid no political price for taking a tough line on China," he said. "I still see the short term-political and long-term strategic signals on China still pointing in the same direction." &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, who made a pitch to return as speaker on Wednesday, has applauded Trump's initial round of tariffs on China as a "leverage point" to negotiate fairer trade for US products in the country.

"The United States must take strong, smart and strategic action against China's brazenly unfair trade policies," Pelosi said in March.

Those Democrats who may be upset that Trump's tariffs on Chinese goods and steel and aluminum will raise business costs and prices also face a practical problem in that they have little legislative means to stop them, since they are the result of executive orders, which do not need Congressional approval.

Trump has signalled in the past week that he believes a deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping is achievable. The two are due to meet on the sidelines of the G20 leaders' summit at the end of November.

If things do not go well, he has threatened to impose tariffs on about $267 billion worth of remaining Chinese imports to the United States. Currently, 10 per cent tariffs on $200 billion of products are scheduled to rise to 25 per cent on January 1, 2019.

"House Democrats are the most protectionist group in Congress," said Derek Scissors, a China scholar at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington. If Trump makes a deal that fails to achieve significant changes to China's practices, "they'll jump all over him," he said.

Representative Richard Neal, the expected new Democratic chairman of the tax-and-trade focused House Ways and Means Committee, sees China as a "big challenge" that both parties and multiple administrations have tried to tackle, a Democratic aide to the panel told Reuters.

China too appears to have few illusions that the election results will earn it a reprieve from the Trump administration.

"Particularly on trade, both (US) parties agree. So, it will have little impact," said Wu Baiyi, the director of the Institute of American Studies at the state-run Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

The Global Times, a nationalist Chinese tabloid, said in an editorial late on Wednesday that the Republicans' loss of the House "will hardly have any direct bearing on Trump's China policy".

"China doesn't need to be deluded by a perceived change in US&nbsp;politics. We should just go about our own business," the paper said.

CANADA, MEXICO A DIFFERENT STORY

The bipartisan unity is less secure when it comes to trade talks with allies, however, and the new Democrat majority could make it more difficult to win congressional approval for a revamp of the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico.

Neal and Representative Bill Pascrell, who is set to chair the Ways and Means trade subcommittee, are promising to haul Trump's top trade lieutenants into hearings not only to explain their strategy on China but also on future trade negotiations with the European Union, Japan and Britain.

In a letter to fellow Democrats on Wednesday, Pascrell said that Republicans had refused to bring administration witnesses into hearings on tariffs or NAFTA negotiations.

"Without hesitation, I would hold regular meetings and public hearings with members of this administration to impose transparency and assert Congress' constitutional role in setting trade policy," Pascrell said.

The recent deal to change the terms of NAFTA is expected to be submitted to Congress for approval in the spring of 2019.

The Ways and Means aide said Neal will insist on ensuring that new labour and environmental standards included in the revamped deal can be adequately enforced. Labor and environmental groups have criticized the provisions as weak.

If Democrats hold out for changes, it may force a reopening of negotiations, analysts and lobbyists said. Democrats forced a similar rethink of the first version of the US-South Korea Free Trade Agreement in 2007 that took nearly three years to complete.

Emily Davis, a spokeswoman for the office of US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, said the agency was "very confident" that Congress will approve the current deal because of the benefits to US workers and businesses.

"From the beginning, Ambassador Lighthizer has worked closely with Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate on the renegotiation of this agreement," Davis said.

The new Democrat majority in the US House of Representatives is likely to back President Donald Trump's trade war with China and could even egg him on, but will offer tougher scrutiny of his negotiations with allies, trade experts and lawmakers say.

The new Democrat majority in the US House of Representatives is likely to back President Donald Trump's trade war with China and could even egg him on, but will offer tougher scrutiny of his negotiations with allies, trade experts and lawmakers say. Trump has imposed tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese goods to pressure Beijing to stop intellectual property theft and forced technology transfers, improve market access for US firms and cut its high-tech industrial subsidy program - major shifts away from China's state-led economic model. Democrats, the traditional party of trade unions, largely support such moves, especially for their hoped-for effect on helping American workers. "I think Trump has a free hand to pursue his aggressive approach. If anything, the Blue Wave (of Democrats) will be as hawkish, if not more hawkish, than Trump on China," Gary Hufbauer, a senior fellow and trade expert at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, said. Beijing has retaliated by largely cutting off purchases of US soybeans and imposing its own tariffs on farm products, steps that some experts had believed could hurt farm state Republicans in Tuesday's congressional elections. China was the biggest buyer of US soybeans before the trade war. But the tariffs were at best a minor issue in most races, even in hard-hit states such as North Dakota, Indiana and Missouri, which voted in Republican senators, strengthening Trump's hand in the chamber. Scott Kennedy, head of China studies at the Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said there is growing bipartisan concern in Washington about increasing state control of China's economy, military activity in the South China Sea and security issues surrounding Chinese technology companies. "President Trump has paid no political price for taking a tough line on China," he said. "I still see the short term-political and long-term strategic signals on China still pointing in the same direction." House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, who made a pitch to return as speaker on Wednesday, has applauded Trump's initial round of tariffs on China as a "leverage point" to negotiate fairer trade for US products in the country. "The United States must take strong, smart and strategic action against China's brazenly unfair trade policies," Pelosi said in March. Those Democrats who may be upset that Trump's tariffs on Chinese goods and steel and aluminum will raise business costs and prices also face a practical problem in that they have little legislative means to stop them, since they are the result of executive orders, which do not need Congressional approval. Trump has signalled in the past week that he believes a deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping is achievable. The two are due to meet on the sidelines of the G20 leaders' summit at the end of November. If things do not go well, he has threatened to impose tariffs on about $267 billion worth of remaining Chinese imports to the United States. Currently, 10 per cent tariffs on $200 billion of products are scheduled to rise to 25 per cent on January 1, 2019. "House Democrats are the most protectionist group in Congress," said Derek Scissors, a China scholar at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington. If Trump makes a deal that fails to achieve significant changes to China's practices, "they'll jump all over him," he said. Representative Richard Neal, the expected new Democratic chairman of the tax-and-trade focused House Ways and Means Committee, sees China as a "big challenge" that both parties and multiple administrations have tried to tackle, a Democratic aide to the panel told Reuters. China too appears to have few illusions that the election results will earn it a reprieve from the Trump administration. "Particularly on trade, both (US) parties agree. So, it will have little impact," said Wu Baiyi, the director of the Institute of American Studies at the state-run Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The Global Times, a nationalist Chinese tabloid, said in an editorial late on Wednesday that the Republicans' loss of the House "will hardly have any direct bearing on Trump's China policy". "China doesn't need to be deluded by a perceived change in US politics. We should just go about our own business," the paper said. CANADA, MEXICO A DIFFERENT STORY The bipartisan unity is less secure when it comes to trade talks with allies, however, and the new Democrat majority could make it more difficult to win congressional approval for a revamp of the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico. Neal and Representative Bill Pascrell, who is set to chair the Ways and Means trade subcommittee, are promising to haul Trump's top trade lieutenants into hearings not only to explain their strategy on China but also on future trade negotiations with the European Union, Japan and Britain. In a letter to fellow Democrats on Wednesday, Pascrell said that Republicans had refused to bring administration witnesses into hearings on tariffs or NAFTA negotiations. "Without hesitation, I would hold regular meetings and public hearings with members of this administration to impose transparency and assert Congress' constitutional role in setting trade policy," Pascrell said. The recent deal to change the terms of NAFTA is expected to be submitted to Congress for approval in the spring of 2019. The Ways and Means aide said Neal will insist on ensuring that new labour and environmental standards included in the revamped deal can be adequately enforced. Labor and environmental groups have criticized the provisions as weak. If Democrats hold out for changes, it may force a reopening of negotiations, analysts and lobbyists said. Democrats forced a similar rethink of the first version of the US-South Korea Free Trade Agreement in 2007 that took nearly three years to complete. Emily Davis, a spokeswoman for the office of US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, said the agency was "very confident" that Congress will approve the current deal because of the benefits to US workers and businesses. "From the beginning, Ambassador Lighthizer has worked closely with Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate on the renegotiation of this agreement," Davis said.

Democrat-led House seen backing Trump’s China trade war, scrutinizing talks with allies

Democratic rising star Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made history Tuesday as the youngest woman elected to Congress, riding a wave of minority women taking office and cementing her place as a prominent voice on the left of US politics.

"We have made history tonight," the grinning 29-year-old told cheering supporters at her victory party in Queens, an astonishing victory for a woman working in a Manhattan restaurant only a year ago.

She has championed her working-class and Puerto Rican roots as the daughter of a cleaner and a father who died in his 40s, embodying a different generation of politician and shunning corporate donors.

With telegenic looks, charisma and youthful idealism, she is at once a media darling and a lightning rod for criticism.

On Tuesday, she signalled a deep ambition running beyond the confines of her constituency and thanked organizers for building a "larger movement for social, economic and racial justice in the United States of America," in a stirring speech that ended with confetti falling from the ceiling.

"If we are going to turn this ship around as a country it is not good enough to throw a rock at our neighbour's yard, we've got to clean up our own house," she said.

"There is nothing inherently noble about protecting a status quo that does not serve the needs of working-class Americans."

In a further sign that her dreams run big,&nbsp; she spoke of the galvanizing power that her campaign had on other insurgent races around the country and vowed that hers would be the generation to flip the Republican state of Texas blue.

From the start, Ocasio-Cortez traded heavily on her non-privileged background in her quest to defeat a 10-term, Democratic Party grandee in her first political race in a New York primary on June 26.

Overnight, she went from total unknown to the toast of coastal America, profiled in Vogue, a guest on chat shows and jetting around the country lending her rock-star status to other insurgent candidates.

'Remarkable story'

She is also the first person of color to represent the safe Democratic seat in diverse Queens and the Bronx, which is largely immigrant.

When she beat incumbent Joe Crowley, she was moonlighting as a bartender. "It's really one of the most remarkable stories I've ever heard," said talkshow host Jimmy Kimmel in a breathless introduction.

Ocasio-Cortez once worked for the late senator Ted Kennedy while studying economics and international relations at Boston University. She has worked with female entrepreneurs in Africa and in education.

But if there's no doubting her talent, crowd-appeal, idealism and passion for grassroots campaigning, in America her politics are pretty radical.&nbsp;

She is a Democratic Socialist in the vein of failed 2016 presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders, on whose campaign she worked.

Ocasio-Cortez has compared the fight against climate change to the fight against Nazi Germany in World War II, calling it a "major existential threat" and has likened electing Democrats to ending slavery.

The right has branded her politics "dangerous" and she has also taken hits from centrist stalwarts, former senator Joe Lieberman saying her primary win seemed "likely to hurt Congress, America and the Democratic Party."

Only time will tell whether the progressive Democratic wing that she embodies represents the future or a Tea Party-style spinoff as mainstream liberals scramble for ways to contain Trump.

Pragmatists say she will have to compromise her ideals. Debt-free college and universal health care sound appealing, but are expensive propositions.

"She is a really good candidate with good political instincts," Jeanne Zaino, a political scientist at Iona College, has said.

"But we can't forget the larger forces, there's a real frustration... with the establishment," she added. "I'm not sure she'd have won if her opponent wasn't a leader of the Democratic Party." 
&nbsp;

Democratic rising star Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made history Tuesday as the youngest woman elected to Congress, riding a wave of minority women taking office and cementing her place as a prominent voice on the left of US politics.

Democratic rising star Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made history Tuesday as the youngest woman elected to Congress, riding a wave of minority women taking office and cementing her place as a prominent voice on the left of US politics. "We have made history tonight," the grinning 29-year-old told cheering supporters at her victory party in Queens, an astonishing victory for a woman working in a Manhattan restaurant only a year ago. She has championed her working-class and Puerto Rican roots as the daughter of a cleaner and a father who died in his 40s, embodying a different generation of politician and shunning corporate donors. With telegenic looks, charisma and youthful idealism, she is at once a media darling and a lightning rod for criticism. On Tuesday, she signalled a deep ambition running beyond the confines of her constituency and thanked organizers for building a "larger movement for social, economic and racial justice in the United States of America," in a stirring speech that ended with confetti falling from the ceiling. "If we are going to turn this ship around as a country it is not good enough to throw a rock at our neighbour's yard, we've got to clean up our own house," she said. "There is nothing inherently noble about protecting a status quo that does not serve the needs of working-class Americans." In a further sign that her dreams run big, she spoke of the galvanizing power that her campaign had on other insurgent races around the country and vowed that hers would be the generation to flip the Republican state of Texas blue. From the start, Ocasio-Cortez traded heavily on her non-privileged background in her quest to defeat a 10-term, Democratic Party grandee in her first political race in a New York primary on June 26. Overnight, she went from total unknown to the toast of coastal America, profiled in Vogue, a guest on chat shows and jetting around the country lending her rock-star status to other insurgent candidates. 'Remarkable story' She is also the first person of color to represent the safe Democratic seat in diverse Queens and the Bronx, which is largely immigrant. When she beat incumbent Joe Crowley, she was moonlighting as a bartender. "It's really one of the most remarkable stories I've ever heard," said talkshow host Jimmy Kimmel in a breathless introduction. Ocasio-Cortez once worked for the late senator Ted Kennedy while studying economics and international relations at Boston University. She has worked with female entrepreneurs in Africa and in education. But if there's no doubting her talent, crowd-appeal, idealism and passion for grassroots campaigning, in America her politics are pretty radical. She is a Democratic Socialist in the vein of failed 2016 presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders, on whose campaign she worked. Ocasio-Cortez has compared the fight against climate change to the fight against Nazi Germany in World War II, calling it a "major existential threat" and has likened electing Democrats to ending slavery. The right has branded her politics "dangerous" and she has also taken hits from centrist stalwarts, former senator Joe Lieberman saying her primary win seemed "likely to hurt Congress, America and the Democratic Party." Only time will tell whether the progressive Democratic wing that she embodies represents the future or a Tea Party-style spinoff as mainstream liberals scramble for ways to contain Trump. Pragmatists say she will have to compromise her ideals. Debt-free college and universal health care sound appealing, but are expensive propositions. "She is a really good candidate with good political instincts," Jeanne Zaino, a political scientist at Iona College, has said. "But we can't forget the larger forces, there's a real frustration... with the establishment," she added. "I'm not sure she'd have won if her opponent wasn't a leader of the Democratic Party."

New York Democrat rock star makes history as youngest woman elected to Congress

Immigration, health care, jobs. The extraordinary US midterm election has been a tug of war over key issues, but none has had a more dramatic impact on voters than Donald Trump, the man who isn't even on the ballot.

The Republican president is the omnipresent figure as Americans render their verdict Tuesday on the past 21 months of Trumpism.

Democrats hope voter dissatisfaction with the contentious commander in chief will lead to a blue wave that flips control of the US House out of Republican hands.

Trump's minions are counting on enthusiasm about core issues to trigger strong conservative voter turnout that preserves their majorities in Congress.

Here are the key factors in the battle for political control in Washington and across the country.

Trump, Trump, Trump&nbsp;

He says it himself: Even though Trump is not on the ballot, he is at the heart of the 2018 vote.

The election near the halfway mark of a president's first term is traditionally a referendum on the White House occupant.&nbsp;

But the billionaire businessman's explosive and iconoclastic personality has taken the trend to a new level.

"A vote for Marsha is really a vote for me and everything that we stand for," he said at an October event for Tennessee's Republican Senate nominee Marsha Blackburn.

Trump's scorched earth campaign stops have whipped up conservative fears about a migrant caravan "invasion," waves of crime and a slide towards socialism should Democrats take congressional control.

Many Democrats are counting on anti-Trump fervor to drive their base to the polls,&nbsp;but some advocate ignoring the politics of personal destruction and zeroing in on policy debates.

Trump is "deploying demagoguery to distract and divide us," and wielding "fear" to shift focus away from issues that Americans truly care about, warned Senate Democrat Patrick Leahy.

Violence&nbsp;

The campaign's final weeks were marred by the worst anti-Semitic attack in modern US history, which left 11 dead in a Pittsburgh synagogue.

Days earlier, a frantic manhunt led to the arrest of a fanatical Trump supporter on charges of mailing pipe bombs to prominent Trump opponents, including former president Barack Obama.

This spasm of violence fueled a debate about the president's caustic rhetoric, and whether it has played a role in deepening American divisions.&nbsp;

Trump condemned the anti-Semitic attack but was more ambiguous about the homemade bomb threat. He quickly hit the road, and in typical Trump fashion attacked his opponents.

Women&nbsp;

Following the outbreak of the #MeToo movement denouncing sexual assault, and the massive women's protests against Trump, women voters and candidates will play critical roles in the first major election since Trump took power.&nbsp;

And they appear particularly motivated to vote.&nbsp;

Female college graduates in well-off suburbs are in the spotlight because many are voicing disgust with Trump's aggressive rhetoric, and their votes could decide tight races in Democrats' favor.

Also a record number of women -- 200 Democrats and 60 Republicans -- are candidates for Congress, where they currently hold only about 20 percent of the seats.

Immigration&nbsp;

Sending thousands of troops to the US-Mexico border to counter a migrant "invasion," questioning the validity of birthright citizenship, and spreading stories of scandalous murders by undocumented immigrants: Trump and his Republicans&nbsp;are making immigration a closing argument of the campaign.

It may be a logical move. Immigration is a top concern among Republican voters, and driving those issue-focused Trump supporters to the polls is key.

Adding to the fear-mongering are Republican-led conspiracy theories about Jewish billionaire philanthropist George Soros helping finance the caravan of Central American migrants.

Health care&nbsp;

For months, Democrats have drilled their central message into the minds of voters: if Republicans strengthen their grip on Congress, they will destroy your health care, including coverage protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions.

It is an arresting theme in a country that does not have a universal health coverage system. The reforms signed into law by Democratic president Barack Obama have helped millions of Americans gain insurance.&nbsp;

Despite their big 2016 campaign pledge, Trump and Republicans have so far failed to outright repeal Obamacare, although they have unravelled it little by little.&nbsp;

Recognizing that the concern about pre-existing conditions has galvanized voters regardless of party, Republicans have seized on it in the campaign's closing month, insisting that their plans would enshrine such protections.&nbsp;

"It's a lie," Obama declared on Friday.

The economy&nbsp;

Between Trump's "trade war," his renegotiation of international treaties, robust US growth and full employment, the economy is at the heart of this election.&nbsp;

In mining territory and industrial zones, Trump's protectionist policies are welcome. But farmers themselves have suffered from retaliatory measures imposed by America's trading partners.&nbsp;

Even with the US economy largely humming along, and Republican candidates desperate for Trump to highlight the gains, the president himself often prefers to rile up a crowd over immigration.

"Sometimes it's not as exciting to talk about the economy, right?" he told voters Friday in West Virginia.

Immigration, health care, jobs. The extraordinary US midterm election has been a tug of war over key issues, but none has had a more dramatic impact on voters than Donald Trump, the man who isn't even on the ballot.

Immigration, health care, jobs. The extraordinary US midterm election has been a tug of war over key issues, but none has had a more dramatic impact on voters than Donald Trump, the man who isn't even on the ballot. The Republican president is the omnipresent figure as Americans render their verdict Tuesday on the past 21 months of Trumpism. Democrats hope voter dissatisfaction with the contentious commander in chief will lead to a blue wave that flips control of the US House out of Republican hands. Trump's minions are counting on enthusiasm about core issues to trigger strong conservative voter turnout that preserves their majorities in Congress. Here are the key factors in the battle for political control in Washington and across the country. Trump, Trump, Trump He says it himself: Even though Trump is not on the ballot, he is at the heart of the 2018 vote. The election near the halfway mark of a president's first term is traditionally a referendum on the White House occupant. But the billionaire businessman's explosive and iconoclastic personality has taken the trend to a new level. "A vote for Marsha is really a vote for me and everything that we stand for," he said at an October event for Tennessee's Republican Senate nominee Marsha Blackburn. Trump's scorched earth campaign stops have whipped up conservative fears about a migrant caravan "invasion," waves of crime and a slide towards socialism should Democrats take congressional control. Many Democrats are counting on anti-Trump fervor to drive their base to the polls, but some advocate ignoring the politics of personal destruction and zeroing in on policy debates. Trump is "deploying demagoguery to distract and divide us," and wielding "fear" to shift focus away from issues that Americans truly care about, warned Senate Democrat Patrick Leahy. Violence The campaign's final weeks were marred by the worst anti-Semitic attack in modern US history, which left 11 dead in a Pittsburgh synagogue. Days earlier, a frantic manhunt led to the arrest of a fanatical Trump supporter on charges of mailing pipe bombs to prominent Trump opponents, including former president Barack Obama. This spasm of violence fueled a debate about the president's caustic rhetoric, and whether it has played a role in deepening American divisions. Trump condemned the anti-Semitic attack but was more ambiguous about the homemade bomb threat. He quickly hit the road, and in typical Trump fashion attacked his opponents. Women Following the outbreak of the #MeToo movement denouncing sexual assault, and the massive women's protests against Trump, women voters and candidates will play critical roles in the first major election since Trump took power. And they appear particularly motivated to vote. Female college graduates in well-off suburbs are in the spotlight because many are voicing disgust with Trump's aggressive rhetoric, and their votes could decide tight races in Democrats' favor. Also a record number of women -- 200 Democrats and 60 Republicans -- are candidates for Congress, where they currently hold only about 20 percent of the seats. Immigration Sending thousands of troops to the US-Mexico border to counter a migrant "invasion," questioning the validity of birthright citizenship, and spreading stories of scandalous murders by undocumented immigrants: Trump and his Republicans are making immigration a closing argument of the campaign. It may be a logical move. Immigration is a top concern among Republican voters, and driving those issue-focused Trump supporters to the polls is key. Adding to the fear-mongering are Republican-led conspiracy theories about Jewish billionaire philanthropist George Soros helping finance the caravan of Central American migrants. Health care For months, Democrats have drilled their central message into the minds of voters: if Republicans strengthen their grip on Congress, they will destroy your health care, including coverage protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions. It is an arresting theme in a country that does not have a universal health coverage system. The reforms signed into law by Democratic president Barack Obama have helped millions of Americans gain insurance. Despite their big 2016 campaign pledge, Trump and Republicans have so far failed to outright repeal Obamacare, although they have unravelled it little by little. Recognizing that the concern about pre-existing conditions has galvanized voters regardless of party, Republicans have seized on it in the campaign's closing month, insisting that their plans would enshrine such protections. "It's a lie," Obama declared on Friday. The economy Between Trump's "trade war," his renegotiation of international treaties, robust US growth and full employment, the economy is at the heart of this election. In mining territory and industrial zones, Trump's protectionist policies are welcome. But farmers themselves have suffered from retaliatory measures imposed by America's trading partners. Even with the US economy largely humming along, and Republican candidates desperate for Trump to highlight the gains, the president himself often prefers to rile up a crowd over immigration. "Sometimes it's not as exciting to talk about the economy, right?" he told voters Friday in West Virginia.

Key factors in 2018 US midterm elections

Americans head to the polls on Tuesday for midterm elections with President Donald Trump's Republican party seeking to retain control of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Midterm elections are often seen as a referendum on the president and there is no shortage of opinions this time around about the current occupant of the White House.

Turnout for midterm elections is traditionally lower than in presidential years, but the results could have dramatic implications for the United States, and in particular for Trump's legislative agenda.

Republicans are bracing for a likely loss of seats in the House of Representatives but are favored to hold on to the Senate.

House of Representatives&nbsp;

The House has 435 members with states represented on the basis of population. There are currently 236 Republicans, 193 Democrats and six vacancies.

All seats are contested every two years. The new congressional term begins in January 2019.

Republicans have controlled the House since the conservative Tea Party movement propelled the GOP to a wave election in November 2010.

The speaker of the house is Republican Paul Ryan, who is not seeking reelection from his home state of Wisconsin. Democrat and former speaker Nancy Pelosi serves as House minority leader.

Democrats need a net gain of 23 seats to take control of the House.

Likely House outcome: Democrats take control.

Senate&nbsp;

The Senate consists of 100 members, two from each state. It is currently made up of 51 Republicans and 49 Democrats.

With terms of six years, about a third of the Senate is up for election every two years. Thirty-five seats are in play in Tuesday's election.

Of the 35 seats up for grabs, 26 are held by Democrats and nine by Republicans.

The Senate majority leader is Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

Likely Senate outcome: Republicans hold on to the Senate.

Governor races

Thirty-six of the 50 US states elect governors this year, including about 10 considered toss-ups.

Republicans currently control 29 governorships to 21 for the Democrats.

Two races which are of particular interest are Georgia, where Democrat Stacey Abrams is seeking to become the first black woman to become governor of a US state, and Florida, where Democrat Andrew Gillum is locked in a bitter battle with Republican and Trump acolyte Ron DeSantis.

Ballot measures&nbsp;

In addition to electing their lawmakers, Americans in several states will vote on ballot measures.

Among the notable initiatives:

- Five states are considering the legalization of medical or recreational marijuana.

- Minimum wage increases are on the ballot in two states.

- Access to abortion and abortion funding is on the ballot in three states.&nbsp;

The stakes&nbsp;

Besides stymieing the Trump agenda, a Democratic victory in the House could allow Democrats to launch multiple committee investigations of the Trump administration and possibly even impeachment proceedings.

Voter turnout&nbsp;

Around 37 percent of eligible voters took part in the 2014 midterm elections, down from 42 percent in 2010.

More than 60 percent of eligible voters took part in the 2016 vote, when the presidential race was on the ballot.

Americans head to the polls on Tuesday for midterm elections with President Donald Trump's Republican party seeking to retain control of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Americans head to the polls on Tuesday for midterm elections with President Donald Trump's Republican party seeking to retain control of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Midterm elections are often seen as a referendum on the president and there is no shortage of opinions this time around about the current occupant of the White House. Turnout for midterm elections is traditionally lower than in presidential years, but the results could have dramatic implications for the United States, and in particular for Trump's legislative agenda. Republicans are bracing for a likely loss of seats in the House of Representatives but are favored to hold on to the Senate. House of Representatives The House has 435 members with states represented on the basis of population. There are currently 236 Republicans, 193 Democrats and six vacancies. All seats are contested every two years. The new congressional term begins in January 2019. Republicans have controlled the House since the conservative Tea Party movement propelled the GOP to a wave election in November 2010. The speaker of the house is Republican Paul Ryan, who is not seeking reelection from his home state of Wisconsin. Democrat and former speaker Nancy Pelosi serves as House minority leader. Democrats need a net gain of 23 seats to take control of the House. Likely House outcome: Democrats take control. Senate The Senate consists of 100 members, two from each state. It is currently made up of 51 Republicans and 49 Democrats. With terms of six years, about a third of the Senate is up for election every two years. Thirty-five seats are in play in Tuesday's election. Of the 35 seats up for grabs, 26 are held by Democrats and nine by Republicans. The Senate majority leader is Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. Likely Senate outcome: Republicans hold on to the Senate. Governor races Thirty-six of the 50 US states elect governors this year, including about 10 considered toss-ups. Republicans currently control 29 governorships to 21 for the Democrats. Two races which are of particular interest are Georgia, where Democrat Stacey Abrams is seeking to become the first black woman to become governor of a US state, and Florida, where Democrat Andrew Gillum is locked in a bitter battle with Republican and Trump acolyte Ron DeSantis. Ballot measures In addition to electing their lawmakers, Americans in several states will vote on ballot measures. Among the notable initiatives: - Five states are considering the legalization of medical or recreational marijuana. - Minimum wage increases are on the ballot in two states. - Access to abortion and abortion funding is on the ballot in three states. The stakes Besides stymieing the Trump agenda, a Democratic victory in the House could allow Democrats to launch multiple committee investigations of the Trump administration and possibly even impeachment proceedings. Voter turnout Around 37 percent of eligible voters took part in the 2014 midterm elections, down from 42 percent in 2010. More than 60 percent of eligible voters took part in the 2016 vote, when the presidential race was on the ballot.

What's at stake on November 6 in US midterm elections

A number of notable races are taking place on Tuesday in the US midterm elections, when Americans go to the polls to elect governors and members of the US House of Representatives and Senate.

Here is a look at some of the most interesting contests:

Beto-mania&nbsp;

One of the most expensive and closely watched Senate races is in Texas, where incumbent Republican Senator Ted Cruz is facing Democratic Representative Beto O'Rourke.

O'Rourke, 46, whose given names are Robert Francis but who goes by Beto, is mounting a suprisingly strong challenge to the 47-year-old Cruz in the reliably Republican "Lone Star State."

O'Rourke, a three-term congressman and former member of a punk band, is drawing enthusiastic support from many urban dwellers in Texas while Cruz does better in conservative rural areas.

Plucking the Senate seat from Cruz, who battled Donald Trump for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, would be a major victory for the Democratic Party.

Dueling female candidates&nbsp;

Arizona will have a woman representing the southwestern state in the US Senate for the first time as two women battle for the seat being vacated by Jeff Flake, a Trump critic who is not running for reelection.

The Republican flag-bearer is Martha McSally, a 52-year-old former US Air Force fighter pilot and two-term member of the House of Representatives.&nbsp;

McSally's Democratic opponent is Kyrsten Sinema, 42, a three-term member of the House of Representatives who spent several years of her childhood in poverty after her parents divorced.

McSally and Sinema are running neck-in-neck in a state which President Donald Trump won by 3.5 percentage points in the 2016 presidential election.

Democrats in danger&nbsp;

Democratic Senate candidates are in danger of losing their seats in Missouri, North Dakota and Indiana.

In Missouri -- which Trump won by 18 points in 2016 -- Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill, 65, is facing a strong challenge from Republican attorney general Josh Hawley.

Trump has campaigned personally for the 38-year-old Hawley and called him a rising star in the party.

In North Dakota -- which Trump won by 36 points in 2016 -- Democratic Senator Heidi Heitkamp, 63, is fighting for her political survival against Republican Kevin Cramer.

Cramer, 57, who has served three terms in the House of Representatives, currently leads in the polls.

In Indiana, Democratic Senator Joe Donnelly, 63, has a small lead over his Republican challenger Mike Braun, a 64-year-old businessman, in a state which Trump won by 19 points in 2016.

Bob Menendez, 64, a Democrat from New Jersey who has served in the Senate since 2006, could also be in trouble after facing corruption charges.

The case ended up with a hung jury and a mistrial and the charges were dropped. Menendez is being challenged by Republican businessman Bob Hugin, 64.

Close eye on Florida&nbsp;

Two of the most-watched races in the country are in Florida.

Democrat Bill Nelson, 76, was first elected to the Senate in 2000 and was easily reelected in 2006 and 2012.

But Nelson, who served as a payload specialist on a Space Shuttle in 1986, is facing a tough challenge this time from Florida's Republican Governor Rick Scott.

Gun control is a big issue in the race following the February shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida, which left 17 people dead.

Another close race in Florida is for governor to replace the 65-year-old Scott.

Democrat Andrew Gillum, 39, the African-American mayor of Tallahassee, is locked in an acrimonious battle with Ron DeSantis, 40, a member of the House of Representatives and ardent Trump supporter.

Trump has personally campaigned for DeSantis and has had harsh words for Gillum, considered by some to be a potential future star of the Democratic Party.

First black female governor&nbsp;

In Georgia, Stacy Abrams, 44, the former minority leader of the state House of Representatives, is running for governor against Republican Brian Kemp, the 55-year-old Georgia secretary of state.

Abrams, who has received the support of Oprah Winfrey and other celebrities, would be the first black woman to become governor of a US state if she wins.

The race has seen allegations that Kemp has attempted to prevent tens of thousands of mainly black voters from taking part in the election.

A number of notable races are taking place on Tuesday in the US midterm elections, when Americans go to the polls to elect governors and members of the US House of Representatives and Senate.

A number of notable races are taking place on Tuesday in the US midterm elections, when Americans go to the polls to elect governors and members of the US House of Representatives and Senate. Here is a look at some of the most interesting contests: Beto-mania One of the most expensive and closely watched Senate races is in Texas, where incumbent Republican Senator Ted Cruz is facing Democratic Representative Beto O'Rourke. O'Rourke, 46, whose given names are Robert Francis but who goes by Beto, is mounting a suprisingly strong challenge to the 47-year-old Cruz in the reliably Republican "Lone Star State." O'Rourke, a three-term congressman and former member of a punk band, is drawing enthusiastic support from many urban dwellers in Texas while Cruz does better in conservative rural areas. Plucking the Senate seat from Cruz, who battled Donald Trump for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, would be a major victory for the Democratic Party. Dueling female candidates Arizona will have a woman representing the southwestern state in the US Senate for the first time as two women battle for the seat being vacated by Jeff Flake, a Trump critic who is not running for reelection. The Republican flag-bearer is Martha McSally, a 52-year-old former US Air Force fighter pilot and two-term member of the House of Representatives. McSally's Democratic opponent is Kyrsten Sinema, 42, a three-term member of the House of Representatives who spent several years of her childhood in poverty after her parents divorced. McSally and Sinema are running neck-in-neck in a state which President Donald Trump won by 3.5 percentage points in the 2016 presidential election. Democrats in danger Democratic Senate candidates are in danger of losing their seats in Missouri, North Dakota and Indiana. In Missouri -- which Trump won by 18 points in 2016 -- Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill, 65, is facing a strong challenge from Republican attorney general Josh Hawley. Trump has campaigned personally for the 38-year-old Hawley and called him a rising star in the party. In North Dakota -- which Trump won by 36 points in 2016 -- Democratic Senator Heidi Heitkamp, 63, is fighting for her political survival against Republican Kevin Cramer. Cramer, 57, who has served three terms in the House of Representatives, currently leads in the polls. In Indiana, Democratic Senator Joe Donnelly, 63, has a small lead over his Republican challenger Mike Braun, a 64-year-old businessman, in a state which Trump won by 19 points in 2016. Bob Menendez, 64, a Democrat from New Jersey who has served in the Senate since 2006, could also be in trouble after facing corruption charges. The case ended up with a hung jury and a mistrial and the charges were dropped. Menendez is being challenged by Republican businessman Bob Hugin, 64. Close eye on Florida Two of the most-watched races in the country are in Florida. Democrat Bill Nelson, 76, was first elected to the Senate in 2000 and was easily reelected in 2006 and 2012. But Nelson, who served as a payload specialist on a Space Shuttle in 1986, is facing a tough challenge this time from Florida's Republican Governor Rick Scott. Gun control is a big issue in the race following the February shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida, which left 17 people dead. Another close race in Florida is for governor to replace the 65-year-old Scott. Democrat Andrew Gillum, 39, the African-American mayor of Tallahassee, is locked in an acrimonious battle with Ron DeSantis, 40, a member of the House of Representatives and ardent Trump supporter. Trump has personally campaigned for DeSantis and has had harsh words for Gillum, considered by some to be a potential future star of the Democratic Party. First black female governor In Georgia, Stacy Abrams, 44, the former minority leader of the state House of Representatives, is running for governor against Republican Brian Kemp, the 55-year-old Georgia secretary of state. Abrams, who has received the support of Oprah Winfrey and other celebrities, would be the first black woman to become governor of a US state if she wins. The race has seen allegations that Kemp has attempted to prevent tens of thousands of mainly black voters from taking part in the election.

US midterm elections 2018: Races to watch in US midterm elections

Senate Republicans on Thursday crushed a Democratic blockade of President Donald Trump&#39;s US&nbsp;Supreme Court nominee in a fierce partisan brawl, approving a rule change dubbed the &quot;nuclear option&quot; to allow for conservative judge Neil Gorsuch&#39;s confirmation by Friday.

With ideological control of the nation&#39;s highest court at stake, the Republican-led Senate voted along party lines to change its long-standing rules in order to prohibit a procedural tactic called a filibuster against Supreme Court nominees. That came after Republicans failed by a 55-45 tally to muster the 60-vote super-majority needed to end the Democratic filibuster that had sought to deny Gorsuch confirmation to the lifetime post.

The Senate paved the way for senators to confirm Gorsuch by simple majority. Republicans control the Senate 52-48. The rule change has been dubbed the &quot;nuclear option&quot; because it has been considered an extreme break with Senate traditions, and Trump has encouraged McConnell to &quot;go nuclear&quot;.

&quot;This will be the first and last partisan filibuster of the Supreme Court,&quot; Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on the Senate floor, accusing Democrats of trying to inflict political damage on Trump and to keep more conservatives from joining the high court.

&quot;In 20 or 30 or 40 years, we will sadly point to today as a turning point in the history of the Senate and the Supreme Court, a day when we irrevocably moved further away from the principles our founders intended for these institutions: principles of bipartisanship, moderation and consensus,&quot; Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor.

Schumer ridiculed McConnell&#39;s contention that the Democratic action was unprecedented, noting that the Republican-led Senate last year refused to consider Democratic former President Barack Obama&#39;s nomination of appellate judge Merrick Garland for the same high court seat that Trump elected Gorsuch to fill.

Senate confirmation of Gorsuch, 49, would restore the nine-seat court&#39;s 5-4 conservative majority, enable Trump to leave an indelible mark on America&#39;s highest judicial body and fulfill a top campaign promise by the Republican president. Gorsuch could be expected to serve for decades.

The court&#39;s ideological leaning could help determine the outcome of cases involving the death penalty, abortion, gun control, environmental regulations, transgender rights, voting rights, immigration, religious liberty, presidential powers and more.

The nine-seat Supreme Court has had a vacancy since conservative Justice Antonin Scalia died in February 2016.

Republicans have called Gorsuch superbly qualified and one of the most distinguished appellate judges on the bench, and they blamed the Democrats for politicising the confirmation process.

Democrats accused Gorsuch of being so conservative as to be outside the judicial mainstream, favouring corporate interests over ordinary Americans in legal opinions, and displaying insufficient independence from Trump.

&quot;This isn&#39;t really about the nominee anyway,&quot; McConnell said. &quot;The opposition to this particular nominee is more about the man who nominated him and the party he represents than the nominee himself.&quot;

What Republicans did to Obama&#39;s nominee Garland was worse than a filibuster, Schumer said. Schumer said Republicans denied &quot;the constitutional prerogative of a president with 11 months left in his term.&quot;

&nbsp;

&#39;THE FALLOUT&#39;

&quot;The nuclear option was used by Senator McConnell when he stopped Merrick Garland. What we face today is the fallout,&quot; Democratic Senator Richard Durbin added on the Senate floor.

McConnell blamed the escalation of fights over judicial nominees on the Democrats and their opposition starting three decades ago to nominees made by Republican former Presidents Ronald Reagan and George W&nbsp;Bush.

McConnell called the Democratic effort against Gorsuch &quot;another extreme escalation in the left&#39;s never-ending drive to politicise the court and the confirmation process.&quot; He accused Gorsuch&#39;s opponents of &quot;a singular aim: securing raw power no matter the cost to the country or the institution&quot;.

The 60-vote threshold that gives the minority party power to hold up the majority party has forced the Senate over the decades to try to achieve bipartisanship in legislation and presidential appointments.

The filibuster in one form or another dates back to the 19th century but assumed its current form in the 1970s.

While Democrats opposed the rule change and accused Republicans of a power grab, it was the Democrats who first resorted to the nuclear option when they controlled the Senate in 2013. In the face of Republican filibusters of Obama appointments, they barred filibusters for executive branch nominees and federal judges aside from Supreme Court justices but still allowed it for Supreme Court nominees and legislation.

The Republican-backed rule change on Thursday maintains the ability to filibuster legislation.

In the past, the nuclear option has been averted when moderates in the two parties compromised to avoid a showdown, but the ferocious partisanship in Washington now made that impossible.

Experts said eliminating the filibuster for Supreme Court appointments could make it more likely that presidents, with little incentive to choose centrist justices who could attract support from the other party, will pick ideologically extreme nominees in the future.

Ending the filibuster also would make it easier for future Supreme Court nominees to be confirmed when the president and Senate leadership belong to the same party.

With the failure of Republican healthcare legislation in Congress and with federal courts blocking the president&#39;s ban on people from several Muslim-majority nations from entering the United States, securing Gorsuch&#39;s confirmation took on even greater importance for Trump, who took office in January.

(Reuters)

Senate confirmation of Neil Gorsuch, 49, would restore the nine-seat court's 5-4 conservative majority

Senate Republicans on Thursday crushed a Democratic blockade of President Donald Trump's US Supreme Court nominee in a fierce partisan brawl, approving a rule change dubbed the "nuclear option" to allow for conservative judge Neil Gorsuch's confirmation by Friday. With ideological control of the nation's highest court at stake, the Republican-led Senate voted along party lines to change its long-standing rules in order to prohibit a procedural tactic called a filibuster against Supreme Court nominees. That came after Republicans failed by a 55-45 tally to muster the 60-vote super-majority needed to end the Democratic filibuster that had sought to deny Gorsuch confirmation to the lifetime post. The Senate paved the way for senators to confirm Gorsuch by simple majority. Republicans control the Senate 52-48. The rule change has been dubbed the "nuclear option" because it has been considered an extreme break with Senate traditions, and Trump has encouraged McConnell to "go nuclear". "This will be the first and last partisan filibuster of the Supreme Court," Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on the Senate floor, accusing Democrats of trying to inflict political damage on Trump and to keep more conservatives from joining the high court. "In 20 or 30 or 40 years, we will sadly point to today as a turning point in the history of the Senate and the Supreme Court, a day when we irrevocably moved further away from the principles our founders intended for these institutions: principles of bipartisanship, moderation and consensus," Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor. Schumer ridiculed McConnell's contention that the Democratic action was unprecedented, noting that the Republican-led Senate last year refused to consider Democratic former President Barack Obama's nomination of appellate judge Merrick Garland for the same high court seat that Trump elected Gorsuch to fill. Senate confirmation of Gorsuch, 49, would restore the nine-seat court's 5-4 conservative majority, enable Trump to leave an indelible mark on America's highest judicial body and fulfill a top campaign promise by the Republican president. Gorsuch could be expected to serve for decades. The court's ideological leaning could help determine the outcome of cases involving the death penalty, abortion, gun control, environmental regulations, transgender rights, voting rights, immigration, religious liberty, presidential powers and more. The nine-seat Supreme Court has had a vacancy since conservative Justice Antonin Scalia died in February 2016. Republicans have called Gorsuch superbly qualified and one of the most distinguished appellate judges on the bench, and they blamed the Democrats for politicising the confirmation process. Democrats accused Gorsuch of being so conservative as to be outside the judicial mainstream, favouring corporate interests over ordinary Americans in legal opinions, and displaying insufficient independence from Trump. "This isn't really about the nominee anyway," McConnell said. "The opposition to this particular nominee is more about the man who nominated him and the party he represents than the nominee himself." What Republicans did to Obama's nominee Garland was worse than a filibuster, Schumer said. Schumer said Republicans denied "the constitutional prerogative of a president with 11 months left in his term." 'THE FALLOUT' "The nuclear option was used by Senator McConnell when he stopped Merrick Garland. What we face today is the fallout," Democratic Senator Richard Durbin added on the Senate floor. McConnell blamed the escalation of fights over judicial nominees on the Democrats and their opposition starting three decades ago to nominees made by Republican former Presidents Ronald Reagan and George W Bush. McConnell called the Democratic effort against Gorsuch "another extreme escalation in the left's never-ending drive to politicise the court and the confirmation process." He accused Gorsuch's opponents of "a singular aim: securing raw power no matter the cost to the country or the institution". The 60-vote threshold that gives the minority party power to hold up the majority party has forced the Senate over the decades to try to achieve bipartisanship in legislation and presidential appointments. The filibuster in one form or another dates back to the 19th century but assumed its current form in the 1970s. While Democrats opposed the rule change and accused Republicans of a power grab, it was the Democrats who first resorted to the nuclear option when they controlled the Senate in 2013. In the face of Republican filibusters of Obama appointments, they barred filibusters for executive branch nominees and federal judges aside from Supreme Court justices but still allowed it for Supreme Court nominees and legislation. The Republican-backed rule change on Thursday maintains the ability to filibuster legislation. In the past, the nuclear option has been averted when moderates in the two parties compromised to avoid a showdown, but the ferocious partisanship in Washington now made that impossible. Experts said eliminating the filibuster for Supreme Court appointments could make it more likely that presidents, with little incentive to choose centrist justices who could attract support from the other party, will pick ideologically extreme nominees in the future. Ending the filibuster also would make it easier for future Supreme Court nominees to be confirmed when the president and Senate leadership belong to the same party. With the failure of Republican healthcare legislation in Congress and with federal courts blocking the president's ban on people from several Muslim-majority nations from entering the United States, securing Gorsuch's confirmation took on even greater importance for Trump, who took office in January. (Reuters)

Senate ends Democratic blockade of Trump Supreme Court pick, via 'nuclear option'

Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton is the Democratic Party nominee for the President of the United States in the 2016 election.

She has been the 67th US secretary of state as well as the country&#39;s First Lady from 1993 to 2001.

In the latter capacity, she worked towards improving the national health care system.

As the presidential candidate, Clinton promises paid family and medical leave as well as universal, quality, affordable health care for everyone.

Hillary promises an economy that works for everyone; her election agenda talks about a fair tax system where the &#39;Wall Street must work for Main Street.&#39;

Along with sticking with old allies of US and building stronger ties with Cuba, Hillary is against Iran&#39;s nuclear empowerment.

For Hillary, the issue of climate change has been a real threat, with the potential to jeopardise America&#39;s security and economy.

In matters of justice and equality, Hillary promises a pathway to full and equal citizenship through immigration reforms, while working towards protecting the rights of workers, women and LGBT communities.

Her recent uber expensive haircut while adding to her charm has whipped up a lot of media interests.&nbsp;

Former first lady and the 67th US secretary of state, Democrat Hillary Clinton is not new to the world of politics

Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton is the Democratic Party nominee for the President of the United States in the 2016 election. She has been the 67th US secretary of state as well as the country's First Lady from 1993 to 2001. In the latter capacity, she worked towards improving the national health care system. As the presidential candidate, Clinton promises paid family and medical leave as well as universal, quality, affordable health care for everyone. Hillary promises an economy that works for everyone; her election agenda talks about a fair tax system where the 'Wall Street must work for Main Street.' Along with sticking with old allies of US and building stronger ties with Cuba, Hillary is against Iran's nuclear empowerment. For Hillary, the issue of climate change has been a real threat, with the potential to jeopardise America's security and economy. In matters of justice and equality, Hillary promises a pathway to full and equal citizenship through immigration reforms, while working towards protecting the rights of workers, women and LGBT communities. Her recent uber expensive haircut while adding to her charm has whipped up a lot of media interests.

Who is Hillary Clinton?

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