This post was originally published on this site
Joe Biden is heading to Georgia on Tuesday to campaign for a pair of Democratic candidates whose races will determine control of the U.S. Senate — and how far the new president’s agenda can go.
Fresh from his Electoral College victory on Monday, President-elect Biden will be in Atlanta on Tuesday to campaign on behalf of Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock ahead of the runoff elections scheduled for Jan. 5.
Republicans would need to capture only one more seat for a Senate majority. Ossoff, a journalist, is facing Sen. David Perdue, and Warnock, a pastor, is vying against Sen. Kelly Loeffler.
Biden’s visit comes on Georgia’s second day of early voting, and further amplifies the national attention the race is receiving.
Should Democrats win both races, Biden’s party would take control of the Senate, as the vice-president has a casting vote, and smooth a path for his legislative agenda — which includes raising the corporate tax rate to 28% from 21%. Under a Republican-controlled Senate, however, Biden’s proposals would face a rockier road.
Now read: Here’s what Biden’s first 100 days could mean for health care, energy and more key sectors.
“Electing Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock will pave the way for so many things — from protecting access to health care to helping working families who are struggling so much in the middle of this pandemic,” Biden said in a fundraising email ahead of the visit.
Victories by Ossoff and Warnock would give Democrats and Republicans each 50 seats in the Senate. But Democrats would effectively have control with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris able to break ties.
U.S. stocks SPX, +0.43% got off to a positive start Tuesday, with support tied to ongoing efforts to complete another round of aid spending in Congress as COVID-19 cases surge and the expiration of some benefits looms at the end of the year.
