Just before a mob ransacked the US Capitol, two Georgia runoff wins for the Democrats ensured a 50-50 balance in the US Senate.
The unexpected new balance of power giving Democrats only the barest control of Congress has big consequences for President-elect Joe Biden, easy confirmation of his Cabinet most importantly, but the road ahead for his ambitious legislative agenda remains complicated and murky.
Republicans remain poised to block most of Mr Biden’s proposals, just as they thwarted much of President Barack Obama’s efforts on Capitol Hill.
But 50/50 control permits action on special legislation that cannot be filibustered, and momentum for the popular parts of Covid-19 relief could easily propel an early aid bill into law.
President-elect Biden will take the stage for his inaugural address at perhaps the most difficult starting point for a president since Franklin Roosevelt.
The United States is finally gearing up for its 59th Presidential inauguration which will see President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris being sworn in at the US Capitol building.