U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) and U.S. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York).
Tom Williams | Michael A. McCoy | Reuters
Although the race for control of the House of Representatives has not yet been determined, the Republicans have already won a majority in the Senate and are already expressing optimism that they will be able to join newly elected President-elect Donald Trump in winning a third party seat.
“As more results come in, Republicans are poised to consolidate control of the White House, Senate, and House of Representatives, as we have long predicted,” Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a statement Wednesday. It’s clear that there are.”
This early confidence comes from the fact that Republicans need to win 12 more seats to maintain their majority, while Democrats need to win 37 more seats to flip control. .
According to NBC NewsHorse race tracker, 20 key House races remain uncalled. Others are unlikely to be overturned for now.
The remaining races include California’s 47th Congressional District, where Republicans are aiming to win seats, Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, and Alaska’s Grand District, as well as California, which is one of the most expensive districts in the nation. It also includes the 45th Congressional District.
“The path to regaining the majority is now too close to call,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York said in a statement Wednesday. “The party that will have a majority in the House of Commons in January 2025 has not yet been decided. We must count every vote.”
House Republicans entered the 2024 election with a historically slim majority. There were 212 seats held by Democrats and 220 seats held by Republicans, with three seats vacant.
Democrats poured huge amounts of money into House races and tried to flip the House. They far outperformed their Republican rivals in many of the nation’s most competitive House races.
House Democratic candidates in the race are rated either “unexpected” or “lean” by the federal government. Amy Walter and Cook Political Report According to , Republicans spent $132 million compared to $61.6 million. Documents to be submitted in October In cooperation with the Federal Election Commission.
Ultimately, the dominant political party will determine the boundaries of power for the incoming Trump administration. An all-Republican House of Representatives would likely provide the president-elect with loose legislative restraints, while a Democratic House would likely tighten them.
If Republicans win, they will also have a chance to extend Johnson’s term. Otherwise, a Democratic victory would mean the promotion of current House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, the front-runner for the chair.
Over the next two years, the House will face important battles over government funding, tax levels, immigration and business regulation.
Congress passed a temporary funding bill in September to avert a government shutdown, which is set to expire on Dec. 20, reigniting the budget fight just before the next president takes office in January. A potential split in the government could further complicate the battle.
Also on the agenda for the next Congress is the possibility of extending the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which is set to expire in 2025. President Trump wants to make the law permanent and deepen some of the tax cuts.
