The economy by 1994 was rebounding big from the 1991-1992 recession.

However Clinton broke a promise not to raise taxes and passed a budget that raised taxes which caused democrats to lose support from suburban areas/middle class.

And he signed a federal assault weapons ban that pissed off rural folks, especially in Appalachia the region that voted for him in 1992.

And dont ask dont tell, believe it or not was actually considered a liberal policy because it allowed gays to serve in the military although in secret, and ehen Bill Clinton's pro-abortion stance became even more clear. Christian evangelicals voted against the democrats.

All this allowed the GOP for the first time in 40 years to take control of the house of representatives.

Its significant because when before the republicans were stronger in presidential elections (from 1952 to 1988, democrats won three times and republicans seven times) and democrats stronger in legislative elections. It switched with republicans being more stronger in legislative and democrats in presidential as for the last six elections the democrat won the popular vote five out of six times.

Persistent democrat weakeness in rural areas due to the rift have been the source of their lackluster house performances since 1994.