Let's Ask | US Midterms: Could the Balance Be Restored?

On November 3rd, most seats in the US Congress are at stake. Republicans have held a narrow majority in both chambers for two years, using it to push through the president's initiatives and block attempts to limit his power. If Democrats win enough seats, that balance of power could shift quickly.

In this edition of Let's Ask, early American historian Mark L. Thompson discusses the origins of Congress. With the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in mind: how did the US founders envision the role of the legislative branch? Can the constitutional balance between Congress and the executive branch be restored? And what does a new Republican victory mean for the future of the US?