CNN projects victory for Raphael Warnock, a Democratic senator, in Georgia 1:22
(CNN) --
Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock will win the Georgia Senate runoff, CNN projects, allowing Democrats to secure a slim 51-49 majority over Republicans in that chamber.
Democrats will have significant governing advantages compared to the current 50-50 split in the Senate, whereby a power-sharing agreement gives Republicans considerable leverage over Democrats despite being in a minority.
Democrats will have majorities in each committee, allowing them to process legislation and nominations much faster
Democrats will also enjoy larger staff and budgets, giving them more ability to carry out the commission's work.
Currently, committees are evenly split, as are resources, allowing Republicans to slow down the candidates they oppose.
Who is Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock?
2:31
When an election deadlocks on committee, Democrats must take time-consuming steps to remove that person from the committee and allow a floor vote.
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In one case earlier this year, Republicans used Banking Commission rules to prevent a vote from taking place by boycotting commission sessions, ultimately forcing President Joe Biden to withdraw a candidate for the Fed. Federal.
Tuesday's result will also free up additional floor time for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to use with other nominees and Democratic priorities.
Democrats will have greater power to issue subpoenas
They will no longer need bipartisan support to issue subpoenas in order to circumvent GOP opposition to the use of these key tools.
This could increase the power and number of investigations led by the Democrats.
Centrist Democrats may not have as much power over the Democratic agenda
A two-seat majority margin gives Schumer more leeway to pass legislation without needing the support of everyone in his caucus, such as West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin and Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, moderates running for the re-election in 2024. The two wielded enormous power in the 50-50 split Senate.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Filling a vacancy on the Supreme Court could be easier
The two-seat margin could also become critical if there were a vacancy on the Supreme Court, since only a majority is needed to confirm a justice for that position, allowing Schumer to lose one vote.
The vice president's vote would no longer be so necessary
Democrats likely won't have to rely as heavily on Vice President Kamala Harris to break tie votes on nominations and legislation, something she has done 26 times so far in the current Senate, the most for any vice president in modern times.
CNN's Shania Shelton contributed to this report.
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