Question

Following the 1994 midterm election, Republicans in Congress

Answer 1

Following the 1994 midterm elections, Republicans in Congress BELIEVED THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANTED THEM TO MAKE CHANGES.

In the 1994 midterm elections, Republicans had campaigned on the promise of  a "Contract with America."  Newt Gingrich and Richard Armey wrote the document and spearheaded the campaign to take control of Congress back for the Republican Party.  (Republicans had not had a majority in the House of Representatives for 40 years.)  The Republicans picked up 54 seats in the House of Representatives in the 1994 midterm election, as well as gaining 9 seats in the Senate, to become the majority party in Congress.  So they believed they should carry out their "Contract with America" to make changes.

Answer 2

Following the 1994 midterm election, Republicans in Congress attempted to consolidate power by making it politically advantageous to do so in the Senate.