–O Adejo
The Republican Party now controls the majority of the United States House of Representatives, after winning the majority margin with 218 seats. Although the majority’s margin is really thin, it is sufficient to control President Joe Biden’s agenda for the next two years.
Democrats, however, will retain control of the Senate when the new Congress convenes in January 2023. Republicans hoped to retake both chambers in the midterm elections, but the results fell short of their expectations.
The Republican Party is expected to win between 218 and 223 seats in the 435-seat House, according to the BBC. They also noted that, with many votes still being counted, the Republican majority may not be clear for days or even weeks.
Republicans have already chosen Kevin McCarthy to be the next Speaker of the House, succeeding Democrat Nancy Pelosi. However, in order to be elected Speaker, he must gain the support of the majority of the House’s 435 members.
Nancy Pelosi also hinted that the Democrats will not leave anything to chance in the face of a razor-thin Republican majority in the House. However, she did not say whether she would continue as House Minority Leader.
The Republicans will be looking to force showdowns over federal budget priorities and also slow down some of President Joe Biden’s agenda. That will be a significant achievement for a party that has seen Democrats rack up a string of legislative victories over the last two years.
Also, President Joe Biden congratulated the Republicans and agreed to work with them to bring democracy’s dividends to all Americans.
“I congratulate Leader McCarthy on Republicans winning the House majority, and am ready to work with House Republicans to deliver results for working families,” Mr Biden said in a statement on Wednesday.
US ELECTIONS: REPUBLICANS’ NARROW WIN AT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES