The victories of Republicans during midterm elections have shifted the majority in the Senate back to the Grand Old Party, and increased their majority in Congress. While this may make the bodies more efficient, it also signals a time during which President Bush will be able to more easily push his top issues. The midterm elections were the first in half a century that the Republicans were able to take control of both elective branches of the federal government.

Meanwhile, top Democrats point fingers at one another for the losses and chalk up the unordinary success of the president’s party to Bush’s popularity in a post-Sept. 11 environment. Blame was shot particularly toward House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt. This is the fourth time he’s failed to regain Democratic control of his chamber.

At least 51 of the 100 seats in the Senate will be filled by Republicans. One more could go to the GOP after a December runoff in Louisiana. With this new makeup, focus goes to the issues that were being blocked by Democrats in the Senate. Of key interest are issues President Bush had been pushing through Senate and the possibility of having more GOP members in federal judgeships or on the Supreme Court.

While the GOP may have no public mandate, Bush will be pushing top items that were previously blocked by the Democratic-controlled Senate, including the aforementioned judgeship vacancies, building a homeland security department and a Medicare overhaul.

On Thursday, Bush announced that homeland security tops his list of priorities for Congress. “It’s imperative that the Congress send me a bill that I can sign before the 107th Congress ends,” Bush said.

Once and future Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott will now be able to reappoint Republicans to head committees and will have the authority to bypass committees on judicial nominations and legislation. He’ll also be able to call for direct votes by the full Senate instead of awaiting action by others.

While the elections this week were expected to be crucial, it wasn’t clear whether the night would end with a majority of Republicans in the Senate. It was Bush’s popularity and a post-Sept. 11 environment that turned the tide, Gephardt and Sen. Tom Daschle, D-South Dakota, told CNN.

They echoed that it was Bush’s high approval rating that eased the way for Republicans during the elections. “He campaigned hard in the states that he largely won two years ago. He had some coattails,” said Daschle.

It cannot be foreseen whether the Republicans will be able to trample on the Democrats due to these midterm elections. However, with control of Congress and the executive branch, it is certainly a possibility that should not be overlooked.

Editorial Board:Cavan Reagan, Amber Billings, Ayrel Clark, Charlie Weaver, Rachel Faber Machacha, Zach Calef.