INDEPENDENCE, Iowa — Sen. Chuck Grassley said in an interview here that the Republicans might win congressional majorities next week because of “Kavanaugh” and “the caravan.”

Grassley, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said Republican enthusiasm picked up in the aftermath of the explosive hearings on Capitol Hill to examine allegations of sexual misconduct against Brett Kavanaugh, nominated for the Supreme Court by President Trump. He was ultimately confirmed on a party-line vote, with one Democrat and one Republican, respectively breaking ranks.