The crashdown

[America Needs a 13-6 Progressive SCOTUS]

October 1, 2014: US Federal Government enters shutdown as House, Senate fail to agree on federal budget.
October 17, 2014: US Federal Government shutdown ends.
Polling: Voters mostly blame Republicans for Government shutdown.
Fivethirtyeight: Battle for US Senate basically a tossup, House strongly favors Republicans.
Sabato Crystal Ball: Our final predictions have Democrats winning 50 seats on election night, Republicans 48 seats, and 2 seats set to go to a runoff where we are leaving at Toss Up for now, while Republicans are likely to hold the House, but will probably lose a few seats on net.

[America Needs a 13-6 Progressive SCOTUS]

November 4, 2014: Election Day. Republicans hold House. Runoffs in Georgia and Louisiana to decide Senate control, Republicans must win both to take chamber. Republicans successfully defend majority in US House, gaining a few seats on net. Democrats net several Gubernatorial Seats across the Country.
December 6, 2014: Bill Cassidy defeats Mary Landrieu in Louisiana runoff.
January 3, 2015: New Congress is sworn in.
January 6, 2015: Republicans win both Georgia runoffs, securing Senate control for the Republican party
Daily Kos: Here is how gerrymandering cost Democrats the House, and how malapportionment cost Democrats the Senate. We live in minority rule now.

[America Needs a 13-6 Progressive SCOTUS]

2014 final results:

Senate:


Republicans (Majority): 51 (+6)
Democrats (Minority): 49 (-6)

House:

Republicans (Majority): 237 (+3)
Democrats (Minority): 198 (-3)

Governors:

Democrats: 26 (+6)
Republicans: 23 (-6)
Independents: 1 (=)