The 116th U.S. Congress formally convened on January 3. November’s mid-term elections produced clear winners and clear losers. The Democratic Party is definitely in the “W” column with a resounding majority of 235-199 (the 9th Congressional District in North Carolina is still disputed). Control over the House of Representatives passed upon the convening of the new Congress. The Republicans can take some solace in having held on to the Senate and slightly increased their majority to 53-47.