Joe Manchin

President Trump plans to appoint David Rosner, a Democrat, as chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). This move will place a Democrat at the head of an agency that makes key decisions regarding gas exports and power grids.

The Republican Party gained 51 seats in the US Senate after winning in West Virginia and Ohio. This gives Trump's party control of at least one chamber of Congress and the ability to influence the appointment of judges.

U. S. senators are cautiously optimistic that a border security agreement could be reached, which could also unblock aid to Ukraine and Israel, but consensus on timing remains elusive.