US President Joe Biden arrives in Cambodia, while Democrats win more seats in the House of Representatives, Republicans are in turmoil

According to CNN, the plane carrying US President Joe Biden landed in Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh this morning (November 12).

Mr. Joe Biden is expected to have bilateral talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen before attending a number of important events taking place in Phnom Penh this weekend, including meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the East Asia Summit (EAS).

US President Joe Biden on the night of November 11. Photo: AP

“Biden intends to enhance US engagement in the Indo-Pacific region early in his presidency. His participation in the ASEAN and EAS meetings this weekend will highlight US actions, including the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework announced earlier this year, as well as security partnership efforts,” US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters on Air Force One.

“Biden wants to use the next 36 hours to build on that foundation, to move the US approach forward, and he also wants to put forward a series of concrete and practical initiatives,” Sullivan added.

After his visit to Cambodia, Mr. Biden will depart for the Indonesian island of Bali to attend the G20 Summit, where he is expected to meet with Chinese General Secretary and President Xi Jinping on November 14.

* Meanwhile, in the US,President Joe Biden's Democratic Party is said to have just won two more seats in the US House of Representatives, helping to narrow the gap with the Republican Party (GOP) in the race for control of this legislative body.

Democratic Rep. David Trone (center) greets supporters at an event on midterm election day in Frederick, Maryland. Photo: The Washington Post

According to CNN estimates, Democratic Rep. David Trone just defeated GOP rival Neil Parrott in a tight race in Maryland's 6th district. Meanwhile, Democratic Rep. Susie Lee also won against rival April Becker in the race in Nevada's 3rd district.

Forecast of midterm election results for the US Senate (above) and the US House of Representatives (below) as of 7:30 p.m. on November 11 (US time). Blue represents the Democratic Party, red represents the Republican Party. Graphics: CNN

With these two important victories, as of 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on November 11 (7:30 a.m. Vietnam Time on November 12), the Democratic Party has 200 seats in the House of Representatives, 11 seats less than the GOP. With 211 seats in hand, former President Donald Trump's party still needs 7 more seats to take over the leadership of this legislative body.

The two parties are also separated by just one seat in the Senate, making it difficult to predict which party will win. Which party will win the Senate will depend on the results of the midterm elections in Arizona, Georgia and Nevada. The rematch between the senatorial candidates in Georgia will not take place until December 6.

Internal Republican Party turmoil

Several influential Republican senators are calling for a delay in next week's Senate GOP leadership vote.

CNN reported that although politician Mitch McConnell is widely expected to easily win re-election to the position, making him the party's longest-serving Senate leader in history, he is facing some opposition within the GOP.

Former President Trump (right) is reportedly trying to blame GOP Senate leader Mitch McConnell for the poor performance of his party's candidates in the midterm elections. Photo: Vanity Fair

Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri said he planned to oppose Mr McConnell and proposed postponing the Senate leadership election pending the results of the Georgia runoff.

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio made a similar point on Twitter, while Sens. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Rick Scott of Florida and Mike Lee of Utah called for it in a letter circulated in Washington.

“We are all disappointed that the red wave did not materialize. There are many reasons why it did not. We need to have serious discussions within the party about why and what we can do to improve our chances in 2024,” the three GOP senators wrote in a letter.

Some high-profile members of the party, including Virginia Lieutenant Governor Winsome Sears and retiring Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey, have placed some of the blame on former President Trump, who is under pressure to delay announcing his 2024 re-election bid on November 15 until the official results of the Senate election are known.

Several GOP sources revealed that Mr. Trump is calling Senate allies, election officials and newly elected lawmakers of the same party to blame Mr. McConnell for the weak performance of GOP candidates in the November 8 midterm elections.