Millions of Americans went to the polls on Tuesday, feeling anxious about the economy and health care reform, and giving the election results that gave Republicans control the House of Representatives and has weakened the Democratic majority in the Senate . Republicans picked up at least 60 House seats and at least six Senate seats in elections, eliminating the Democrat Nancy Pelosi of his position of power as chairman of the House and putting Republicans in charge of leadership Chamber and committees.
The Republican sweep spread from coast to coast and removes more than 30 Democratic incumbents in the House of Representatives, including the Armed Forces Committee Chairman Ike Skelton, chairman of the Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt and Transportation Committee James Oberstar.
electoral output shows more than eight in 10 voters feel the economy is the No. 1 issue facing the country, and three times more than people think it is getting worse instead of better. Health care reform continues as the second most important issue for voters in this election cycle. Nearly three in four voters expressed their discontent with Congress and six in 10 say they believe the country is headed in the wrong direction.
legislative elections close to complete, we invite you and others to see how health reform affected congressional elections visit the Health Action Network to date.
Health Care Reformhow the election results affect the future of the Health Reform: With the new Republican majority in the House, a stronger showing in the Senate and a larger number of Republican governors, the debate on health is expected to focus on law enforcement and efforts to repeal it. While total repeal will face a presidential veto, lawmakers will most likely seek incremental changes, “tweaks and adjustments” of the law to maintain the cease debate on the minds of voters before the 2012 elections.
According to political strategists, Republicans also could use Congressional oversight authority to stop or block the rules, essentially stagnant progress of the law. Congressional hearings are likely to focus on the immediate impact of reforms on costs and coverage, the prospects for reforms to take effect in 2014 and strengthen the direct supervision of federal regulators. In addition, the annual appropriations process is likely to serve as a battleground for issues of health reform, with emphasis on the financing of federal agencies involved in the implementation process.
Two more States Vote to reject the mandate health insurance: In this week’s poll, voters in Oklahoma and Arizona initiatives strongly supported by the vote to choose the law of federal health reform care. Missouri voters approved a similar measure, Proposition C, with 71% support in a primary election in August. A similar proposal on the ballot Tuesday in Colorado would have prohibited the state forcing residents to buy health insurance, public or private. However, the measure was rejected by a narrow margin.
Public Opinion exit polls show half of Americans still want to repeal: According to the Pew Research Center, voters were divided over whether to repeal health reform (48% ) or maintain and even extend it (47%) in the exit polls Tuesday. However, the main priorities for 2011 include reducing the deficit, creating jobs and boosting the economy. Looking forward
President Barack Obama has invited Republican and Democratic leaders of Congress to the White House on November 18 to discuss the new political landscape and ways of working together the future. The meeting with Rep. John Boehner, minority leader of the Senate. Mitch McConnell, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is expected to take place during the first week of Congress’ lame-duck session, “which begins on November 15.