Republicans return to Capitol Hill following major midterm election losses

Republicans returned to Washington on Monday following significant losses in the midterm elections that saw Democrats win control of Congress. The Washington Examiner reported that House Democrats are set to hold a caucus of more than 250 seats after last week's vote. According to PBS NewsHour, the Senate returned to Washington for its first major session after an election outcome that repudiated President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans. [1][4]

House Republicans have 20 legislative days remaining to complete their business before Democrats officially assume control of the chamber, the Washington Examiner reported. Unfinished items remaining from September include the annual defense authorization bill, federal government funding, and the reauthorization of a key government surveillance tool, according to the outlet. [2][3]

The Senate moved on Monday to consider bipartisan legislation designed to speed up permitting reviews for data centers and infrastructure projects, PBS NewsHour reported. In individual races, Fox News reported that former Republican Governor Paul LePage traveled to Washington while Maine's ranked-choice voting count continued, following a lead of 5,000 votes over his opponent. [4][5]

The Wall Street Journal reported that the Democratic election victory will place Wall Street critics into key leadership positions on Capitol Hill. Capitol Hill is a historic neighborhood in Washington, D.C., located immediately east of the United States Capitol building. [7][10]