evidence: By — Candice Norwood Candice Norwood Leave a comment 0comments Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/with-senate-split-50-50-heres-what-democrats-can-and-cant-do Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter With Senate split 50-50, here’s what Democrats can and can’t do Politics Jan 28, 2021 12:05 PM EDT Democrats now have a thin majority control in Congress, but passing sweeping legislation still won’t be easy. A rule requiring votes from 60 of the Senate’s 100 members in order to advance legislation may force President Joe Biden’s administration to modify its priorities on economic relief, climate change, racial equity and immigration in order to gain support from Republicans and moderate Democrats. With just 50 members and a tie-breaking vote from Vice President Kamala Harris, Senate Democrats will have the power to confirm executive and judicial nominees and launch investigations in a range of areas. While the 60-vote threshold remains the party’s biggest hurdle for change, Democrats have some mechanisms to potentially avoid the rules — or even upend them. Why do Democrats have control in a 50-50 split Senate?