Last updated: 20 january, 2010 - 13:23 GMT
Massachusetts Senate election result knocks Obama's healthcare hopes
In his victory speech Mr Brown criticised President Obama's healthcare proposals, saying they would raise taxes, destroy jobs and increase debt
The victory of a Republican candidate in the race for a United States Senate seat in Massachusetts has stunned President Obama's Democratic Party and left the White House assessing the implications for its domestic policy agenda.
His victory over the Democratic candidate, Martha Coakley, means the Republicans now have enough Senate votes to impede the president's plans to reform healthcare.
The BBC's North America Editor Mark Mardell reports.
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So is healthcare reform doomed?
The World Today caught up with two people from the town of Truth or Consequences in New Mexico, who have debated healthcare on the programme before.
Eve Elting, a doctor and breast cancer survivor, supports the bill.
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Pastor Mike Skidmore is opposed to it.
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First broadcast 20 January 2010
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