(NewsNation) — As 2024 election projections continue to trickle in, it’s possible the United States could see another unified government, meaning one party will have majority rule over the House, Senate and presidency.
Republican candidate Donald Trump is projected to win the 2024 presidential election, and Republicans are projected to regain control over the Senate, according to Decision Desk HQ. While the House has yet to be decided, current projections by DDHQ reflect Republicans could retain control over the House majority.
The last time the nation saw a unified government was during President Joe Biden’s first two years in office. That shifted, however, when Republicans regained control over the House in 2023.
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How often does the U.S. see a unified government?
According to data collected by the Office of the Historian and the Clerk of the House’s Office of Art and Archives, the U.S. government has been unified 48 times since 1857 — 23 times under Democrats and 25 under Republicans.
Throughout that time, the government was divided only 38 times. This means that a majority of elected governments have been unified since the advent of the modern party system.
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What does a unified government mean for policy?
A unified government often means more opportunities for productivity and streamlined decision-making when it comes to legislation. The party in power will be able to pass laws faster and more efficiently without challenge from the opposing party.
It would essentially neutralize the Democratic Party if Republicans control all three branches of government.
A unified Congress would give Trump major power for his political agenda, giving Republicans the power to advance Trump-backed legislation and nominees without trouble, The New York Times reported.
With Trump projected to win the election and the Republican Party flipping the Senate, Democrats’ last hope for a foothold in Washington rests in the House.
What Republicans hope to accomplish
While the GOP had a unified government during Trump’s first term as president, this time around, Republicans will be better prepared to take advantage of the power.
Trump will take office in January after Biden finishes his term. He’s already pledged to address the ongoing crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border, saying that he will begin mass deportations of illegal immigrants.
He has also promised to address the economy with Republicans ready to push to renew the 2017 tax cuts which was achieved during Trump’s first term, The New York Times reported.
The GOP also promised “massive reform” to the Affordable Care Act, the report said. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said health care reform would be a large part of the Republican agenda within Trump’s first 100 days as president.
Trump also claimed he would end the “Green New Deal atrocities” on his first day if reelected. The measure was never signed into law.
