What Dems can do with a 51st senator

Plus, Germany foils a far-right coup. We have an ask People value Vox because our approachable work sparks their curiosity; it helps them learn and have informed discussions with family and friends. If you find value in our work, please support it with a financial gift. Reader gifts help us keep our work free for all. [Yes, I'll Give]( Raphael Warnock wins Georgia’s US Senate seat; Germany foils suspected coup plot. Tonight's Sentences was written by Jariel Arvin.   TOP NEWS Raphael Warnock wins Georgia’s Senate runoff Nathan Posner/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images - Sen. Raphael Warnock (D) defeated former football star Herschel Walker (R) in Georgia’s Senate runoff, strengthening Democrats’ power in the upper chamber. [[Vox / Li Zhou](] - With nearly all votes counted, Warnock earned 51 percent of the vote compared to Walker’s 49 percent. Democrats will have a 51-49 Senate majority. [[FiveThirtyEight / Maya Sweedler and Nathaniel Rakich](] - Having a 51st senator means Democrats can afford to lose a vote or two and won’t have to rely only on Vice President Kamala Harris to break ties. [[New York Times / Carl Hulse](] - Warnock’s win also means Senate Democrats will hold majorities in committees, making it easier to confirm Biden’s judicial and administrative nominees. [[The Hill / Brett Samuels](] - Still, Republicans will take control of the House in January, which will likely make it difficult for Democrats to advance their legislative priorities. [[BBC / Anthony Zurcher](] - Walker’s defeat concludes a lackluster 2022 midterm performance for the GOP and Donald Trump-backed candidates. [[Associated Press / Bill Barrow and Jeff Amy](]  [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( Germany arrests dozens in a coup plot - German authorities on Wednesday arrested 25 people connected to a far-right terrorist organization that sought to overthrow the government. [[NYT / Katrin Bennhold and Erika Solomon](] - Three thousand police officers executed raids across Germany to apprehend the group, which included military vets and a man from a noble family. [[NBC News / Andy Eckardt and Patrick Smith](] - Prosecutors say the suspects believe the so-called “deep state” rules Germany and planned armed attacks on federal officials and institutions. [[Deutsche Welle](] - The group was fueled by other conspiracy theories, including QAnon and the belief that the postwar German government is illegitimate. [[AP / Frank Jordans](] - Germany has faced a rise in domestic extremism since the far-right Alternative for Germany Party won parliament seats in 2017. [[CNN / Zahid Mahmood and Chris Stern](]   Help us reach our goal We’re aiming to add 3,000 financial gifts from readers by December 31. Give today to help keep Vox free. [Yes, I'll help keep Vox free](   MISCELLANEOUS Tuesday, a jury found the Trump Organization guilty of 17 counts of tax fraud and other crimes. [[Vox / Andrew Prokop](] - The House will likely vote Wednesday on a national defense spending bill that includes an amendment repealing the Covid-19 vaccine mandate for military service members. [[CNBC / Spencer Kimball](] - Juul settled over 5,000 lawsuits to address claims the e-cigarette company marketed its products to kids and teens. The amount was undisclosed. [[Wall Street Journal / Jennifer Maloney](] - A father shot the man convicted of murdering his son in the Taliban’s first public execution since regaining control over Afghanistan. [[BBC / Matt Murphy and Aalia Farzan](] VERBATIM "One seat may not seem like much for most folks, but for Sen. [Chuck] Schumer and the rest of his colleagues, it could mean all the difference in the world.” [[Jim Manley, a former staffer for Majority Leader Harry Reid, on Warnock’s win / Vox](]   LISTEN TO THIS Basic instinct How do animals know how to do things like spin a web or build a dam? A neuroscientist argues it's not “instinct.” Something bigger is going on. [Listen now ▶](   Read more from Vox [Mauna Loa is erupting in Hawaii. Here are 7 things to know about volcanoes.]( [AI is finally good at stuff, and that’s a problem]( [What your kid’s teacher really wants for the holidays]( [Every “chronically online” conversation is the same]( [Amy Coney Barrett appears likely to block the GOP’s latest attack on democracy](  [Learn more about RevenueStripe...](   [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [YouTube]( This email was sent to {EMAIL}. Manage your [email preferences]( or [unsubscribe](param=sentences). If you value Vox’s unique explanatory journalism, support our work with a one-time or recurring [contribution](. View our [Privacy Notice]( and our [Terms of Service](. Vox Media, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Floor 12, Washington, DC 20036. Copyright © 2022. All rights reserved.