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What's at Stake
U.S. Capitol at Night

Control of Congress: A Seven-Seat Affair
This year's elections will be decided in local communities, where campaigns will be won and lost largely on local issues. But these local races will have a widespread national impact. Control of both the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate is up for grabs -- the Democrats control the Senate by a single vote and the GOP runs the House with a six-seat majority.

The party that controls the two houses will have the ability to shape the national debate and much of the legislative agenda for at least the next two years. Below are some of the critical issues that the next Congress will need to grapple with and how who controls Congress may affect that debate.

Economy War on Terrorism Prescription Drug Debate
icon economyPoliticians are worried that an economic slump, a jittery stock market and story after story about crooked business deals may spell trouble for incumbents at the polls this year.
The Economy
Corporate Responsibility
The Return of Red Ink
icon war on terrorHomeland security has topped almost every candidate's list of priorities this season. The few candidates who have said the issue is less important than other concerns have been sharply criticized by their opponents.
The War on Terror/Homeland Security
icon rxThere are few issues in recent years that have cut as cleanly between the Democratic and Republican philosophies as the question of how to offer prescription coverage to senior citizens.
Prescription Drug Coverage

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