Democrats Take The Reins of Washington's Science Committees.

While the balance of power in the Senate remains undecided, pending a probable recount in Virginia, the 7 November US elections swept the Democrats back into the majority of seats in the House of Representatives. What do the changes really mean, and what will the Democrats do next? Nature takes a look at the politicians old and new who, starting in January, will be running the key House committees on science issues.