GOP wins control of House — handing party all three levers of political power under Trump
The Republican Party on Wednesday clinched a majority in the House of Representatives — handing the GOP all three levers of political power when President-elect Donald Trump assumes office in January.
The victory of Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.) in Arizona’s 6th Congressional District will give the GOP at least 218 House seats in the new Congress, with nine races yet to be called, according to the Associated Press.
Republicans have flipped six seats in the lower chamber since Election Day, while Democrats have only picked up one.
The GOP’s pickups include wins by Republicans Ryan Mackenzie and Robert Bresnahan in Pennsylvania’s 7th and 8th districts; victories in North Carolina’s 6th, 13th and 14th districts by Republicans Addison McDowell, Brad Knott and Tim Moore; and a triumph in Michigan’s 7th District, where Republican Tom Barrett was elected to the House.
“They said it couldn’t be done. But the American people have spoken,” National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Richard Hudson (R-NC) said in a statement released after Ciscomani’s win.
“As Chairman of the NRCC it has been my mission since day one to hold our House majority. Today it is clear that we accomplished that mission,” he added.
Hudson, who leads the House GOP’s campaign arm, publicly declared victory on the Capitol steps Tuesday, declaring it was “morning again in America.”?
With races still outstanding, it’s unclear exactly what margin the House Republican majority will hold come January, but it is sure to be slim.?
Trump, 78, has tapped three GOP congressional lawmakers?— Reps. Matt Gaetz and?Mike Waltz of Florida and Elise Stefanik of New York — to serve in his incoming administration, which could also affect House Speaker Mike Johnson’s majority until replacements are selected and take their oaths of office.
Johnson (R-La.) revealed earlier Wednesday that Gaetz has tendered his resignation from the House, but said he hopes to have his seat filled by Jan. 3, when the new Congress is sworn in.
Republicans clinched the House majority on the same day Trump addressed members of the GOP caucus in person at a Capitol Hill hotel — marking his first appearance in Washington since his historic Election Day victory over Vice President Kamala Harris.?
After winning the trifecta, Hudson signaled that Republicans intend to strongly support the president-elect’s “America First agenda.”
“Americans are fed up with extreme Democrats who threw open the border, set inflation on fire, and invited drugs and crime to flood our communities,” he said. “With a Republican House majority, President Donald Trump back in the White House, and a new Senate Majority — help is on the way.”?
“I am looking forward to working with my newly elected colleagues to clean up Democrats’ mess with an America First agenda.”
After flipping four seats in the Senate — Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia — Republicans also control the upper chamber 53-47.?
Senate Republicans elected Sen. John Thune (R-SD) as majority leader Wednesday.
Thune will lead the conference for the next two years and succeed Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), the longest-serving leader of either party in chamber history.