WASHINGTON ā Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema's switch from Democrat to independent wonāt change the balance of power in the Senate. But it could affect her political fortunes back home.
Sinema says she wonāt caucus with Senate Republicans, so Democrats will still hold the majority next year. And she is expected to continue casting most of her votes with Democrats while separating herself on certain issues.
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āNothingās going to change for me,ā Sinema declared in a video announcing her decision.
A look at what Sinemaās decision means:
WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE SENATE
Not much. Democrats will still be in charge, and day to day operations wonāt change for Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Sinema is still holding her Democratic committee assignments, meaning she canāt upend the party structure too much.
It is unclear exactly what the Senate's party balance will be, and whether she will still caucus with Democrats ā meaning she would be counted as one of their ranks. If she does, Democrats will have a 51-49 majority. If she doesnāt, the balance would be 50-49, with Sinema voting as an independent. Either way, Democrats will have a majority.
āWe will maintain our new majority on committees, exercise our subpoena power and be able to clear nominees without discharge votes,ā Schumer said in a statement on Sinema's decision.
WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE DEMOCRATIC AGENDA
Again, itās unlikely that Sinemaās move will change the partyās path forward, especially now that Republicans will be in the House majority, and little legislation will move through Congress.
Sinema has always voted in an independent manner ā championing some party priorities such as same-sex marriage, which she was instrumental in negotiating before Senate passage last week, and opposing others such as a minimum wage increase. She and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., helped water down much of President Joe Bidenās social spending agenda in the first two years of his presidency.
She has generally voted for Bidenās executive and judicial nominations, as well.
WHAT IT MEANS FOR SINEMA
What it means for Sinema in Arizona is a trickier question.
Democrats are likely to put up a new candidate and put her in a three-way race for reelection in 2024, if she decides to run again. Voters will decide if they like her independent style, modeled after the late Sen. John McCain, or if they would prefer a partisan on the right or left.
āMy approach is rare in Washington, and has upset partisans in both parties,ā she said.