Since the Republican and Democratic national conventions concluded in July, pundits, political reporters, and ordinary Americans have, for understandable reasons, been preoccupied with developments in the presidential campaign. However, with the presidential contest getting so much coverage in the national media, much less attention has centered on the critical battle for control of the next Congress. Regardless of the outcome of the presidential election, whether Republicans or Democrats control the House and Senate will have an enormous impact on the ability of the next president to carry out his or her agenda.
 
At present, Republicans hold a ...