Midterm elections 2018: What are the midterm elections? Why are they important for Trump?

Donald Trump will soon to hold a rally for Senator Ted Cruz, where he will continue his endorsement for the Texas Senator.

Endorsing Mr Cruz is a way for Trump to keep Texas ‘red’ ensuring the Republicans have another spot in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The House is due for a major rework now as the Midterms represent a chance for the Democrats to wrest power back into their grasp, or for the Republicans to further assert their own dominance.

Results of the elections could mean Donald Trump is either very safe in office, or he is threatened with possible impeachment.

What are the Midterm elections?

The Midterm elections take place halfway through the term of an incumbent President.

This means elections will be taking place this year, and in 2022, halfway through the next President’s turn to serve in the Whitehouse.

The elections determine the makeup of the House of Representatives, where the legislative composition of the United States is decided.

A total of 435 representative slots will be up for grabs – meaning every member will be replaced – alongside a third of senator positions and some Governor spots.

The midterm elections will decide whether Republicans or Democrats will be the ones who make up the majority of the house, determining how difficult it will be to pass new laws for the President.

When a proposal for a new law is created, it is known as a ‘bill’ which is then passed to the House of Representatives to vote on before it becomes a law.

If the majority of the house votes on the bill and passes it, it can become legislation, and directly effect how the country runs at the deepest level.

Majorities – more than 218 – consisting of the President’s own party, will generally mean the President can form his own laws without much resistance.

Should the majority consist of the opposition however, this becomes much more difficult.

Why are the Midterms so important to Trump?

Donald Trump is relying on the Midterm elections to help him retain a majority in the House of Representatives, currently enjoyed by the Republicans at 236.

If the President manages to retain the current state or introduce an even larger majority, withdrawing old legislation and passing new legislation will be much easier.

For example, the former ‘Obamacare’ repeal plan which President Trump tried to withdraw was unsuccessful due to insufficient votes.

If Mr Trump was given more support, repealing and replacing this specific act would be much easier.

In contrast, a Democrat controlled House of Representatives would make his legislation difficult to pass, but more importantly could introduce the possibility of impeachment.

In order for a President to be removed from office, they must be convicted of ”treason, bribery, or other high crimes or misdemeanours”.

Members of the House of Representatives are the ones who bring forth charges of this kind named a ‘resolution of impeachment’.

A majority of 51 percent of the House is required for these charges to progress towards a trial.

Should Democrats make up the majority of the House of Representatives, the chances of a ‘resolution of impeachment’ making it into the trial phase increases.