Ahead of the U.S. midterms, the two major parties, namely the Republicans and the Democrats are both vying for control for the Congress and the Senate. <br />So how do the midterms work? <br />Our Cha Sang-mi explains. <br />So, here's what the U.S. midterms are all about. <br />Halfway through the president's four-year term,... there's a congressional election.<br />That's why.. they're called.. the mid-terms. <br />In the lower chamber,.. the House of Representatives, all 435 seats are up for grabs. <br />Those seats are apportioned.. based on the relative population of each state, so California gets the most with 53 seats -- Montana... gets one. <br />The members serve two-year terms. <br />In the upper chamber,.. the Senate, there are 100 seats, with each state getting two, regardless of population.<br />But this time around, only about a third of them... are up for grabs because senators serve for six years. <br />So right now, Republicans control both chambers.<br />In the House, they have around 40 more seats than the Democrats.<br />It's much tighter in the Senate, where the Republicans have only two more. <br /><br />Having Republicans in control of both houses has been crucial to President Trump getting his tax cut through... and appointing two Supreme Court justices, to name just a few things. <br />Both the House and the Senate have to agree on a bill for it.. to go to the President and be signed into law. <br />But in some respects, the two chambers' roles.. are different.<br />For example, only the House can create tax bills, and only the Senate can confirm presidential nominations.<br />Also, the House is where proceedings begin for impeachment. <br /><br />Some races are easy to call in districts that always vote either Republican or Democrat.<br />But other ones could be really close.<br />For example, <br /> a close Trump ally, Devin Nunes from California is in a tight race. So is Senator Ted Cruz of Texas. <br />Also, the Speaker of the House, Republican Paul Ryan, is stepping down.<br />So if the Republicans win... they'll pick a new speaker, and if the Democrats take the House,.. they'll likely choose the veteran progressive from San Francisco, Nancy Pelosi.<br />Some American pundits have called it <br />the most important midterm election in their lifetimes.<br />It remains to be seen, but for now the latest polling data shows the House leans in favor of the Democrats and the Senate is likely to go to the Republicans.<br />Cha Sang-mi, Arirang News. <br />
