Rather than the Senate split 51-49

[sarisataka]

Is it a de facto 49-49-2? And is that better or worse than the last two years?

[uponit7771]

1. It matters who Sinema caucus with

[onenote]

2. If Sinema is caucusing with the Democrats, it's better.

Because it means, for purposes of committee assignments, it is still a 51-49 majority.

[Beakybird]

3. Hopefully, Sinema's voting pattern will be the same, and this is an exercise in branding.

[onenote]

4. Yes. Technically, of course, the Senate is 48D, 49R, 3I

Sinema joins Sanders and King as an Independent. The other two caucus with the Democrats and in all likelihood, Sinema will as well.

[femmedem]

5. We currently have two other Independent senators who caucus with the Democrats.

Neither Bernie Sanders or Angus King are registered Democrats but they caucus with the Democrats and count towards our majority. Assuming she continues to caucus with us, it's 51-49--better off than we were for the last two years because we have control over the committees.

[sarisataka]

6. In my tunnel vision

Of potential problems, I neglected the other independents.

In reality we are going to have a 49-48-3 senate. Expressed mathematically the advantage goes to dems ((48+2)+1)>49 at least for now.

However I expect some will maneuver to enhance their power...

[karynnj]

7. Yes it is better. There is only one significant difference

Fetterman replaced Toomey. Manchin and Sinema are who they are and it seems they will still caucus with us. All other changes, like Welch for Leahy are similar people. Portman for Vance might be for the worse.

Using your model, in the last two years, we had 48, the Republicans 50 , and 2 other. In fact, in a worse case scenario, where in anger she opts to caucus with the Republicans, that would be D49, R49, and other 2 because she would be a flake in either caucus. Still better than the last 2 years.

[Freethinker65]

8. Nothing changes if Sinema caucuses with the Democrats like the others independents do.

Sinema stays in the news and rakes in more donor money.

If the Republicans go MAGA in the Senate, they could lose a few Senators to "Independence" as well. For example, Murkowski is well aware she just won her reelection thanks to Democrats in her State.

[Beaverhausen]

9. Isn't Angus King also an independent?