The 2006 United States midterm (i.e., between presidential) elections
are historic, leading to only the second time in more than 50 years
that control of the US House of Representatives will be handed over
from one party to the other. The other change in majority occurred
following the 1994 midterm elections which ended almost four decades of
Democratic control of the House. In addition, the 2006 elections ended
four years of unified Republican control of the US presidency and
Congress, a situation which last occurred from 1953 to 1955. In the
context of the war in Iraq and the looming 2008 presidential contest,
the 2006 elections represent a major shift in US politics. But what, if
anything, might they mean for issues of science and technology?
The 2006 United States midterm (i.e., between presidential) elections
are historic, leading to only the second time in more than 50 years
that control of the US House of Representatives will be handed over
from one party to the other. The other change in majority occurred
following the 1994 midterm elections which ended almost four decades of
Democratic control of the House. In addition, the 2006 elections ended
four years of unified Republican control of the US presidency and
Congress, a situation which last occurred from 1953 to 1955. In the
context of the war in Iraq and the looming 2008 presidential contest,
the 2006 elections represent a major shift in US politics. But what, if
anything, might they mean for issues of science and technology?
