House Democrats Prepare To Take The Reins As Balance Of Power Shifts
NEW YORK (CBS News) — Winning the majority in the House Tuesday night gave Democrats the power to set the agenda in the lower chamber. It also gave them the power to investigate the president, or his cabinet members, for suspected ethics lapses like extravagant travel.
They can subpoena documents like President Trump's tax returns. They can also compel top officials to testify about controversial policies or foreign investments in Trump properties.
"We have a duty to look into government and to try to figure out what might be wrong and try to correct it and make things better," said Rep. Elijah Cummings, who will now chair the key oversight committee.
Democrats ended their eight year minority by picking off Republicans in urban and suburban swing districts that Hillary Clinton won in 2016. Exit polling showed that voters, like Democratic candidates, considered health care the number one issue and they turned out in record numbers.