Republicans seized control of the House on Wednesday, giving conservatives authority to block President Joe Biden’s initiatives and launch probes.
However, a thin majority will resolve GOP leaders and hinder the party’s capacity to govern.
Republicans won the 218th seat needed to retake the House a week after Election Day. As ballots in tight contests are still being tabulated, the party’s majority may not be evident for days or weeks.
They are on course to build the party’s smallest control of the twenty-first century, outdoing 2001 when Republicans held a nine-seat control, 221-212,
plus two independents. That’s far from the sweeping success the GOP projected coming into this year’s midterms when it intended to recalibrate the tone on Capitol Hill by seizing on economic woes and Biden’s sagging popularity.
What’s Next?
In swing suburban areas from Virginia to Minnesota and Kansas, Dems displayed surprising resiliency. A few conservative representatives have pondered if to support McCarthy or have put terms for their endorsement.
McCarthy, R-Calif., praised his party for “flipping” the House on Wednesday night, tweeting, “Americans are eager for a new path, and House Republicans are prepared to deliver.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Wednesday night, “In the coming Congress, Democrats In the house will strive to play a prominent role in backing President Biden’s goals.”
Rejoice: Republicans have officially taken the House, essentially ending Joe Biden’s ability to pass any more legislation.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) November 16, 2022
Biden complimented McCarthy, adding he’s “ready to collaborate with House Republicans.”
Razor-thin margins have disrupted Republican politics and sparked blame-pointing. Some Republicans blame Trump for the poor showing.
The past president, who started his third White House candidacy Tuesday, backed candidates that challenged the 2020 electoral results or minimized the violent attack on the Capitol last year. Many of the candidates struggled to win.
Despite a poor performance, the GOP will remain powerful. Republicans will hold key panels, allowing them to influence legislation and investigate Biden, his family, and his presidency. Hunter Biden’s abroad business connections are of interest.
Conservative members have discussed the possibility of impeaching Biden, but it won’t be easy with a narrow majority.
Any House legislation might face tough chances in the Senate, where Democrats secured a razor-thin lead. The Dec. 6 Georgia Senate runoff is both parties’ last chance to gain seats.
A narrow House majority may cause legislative instability. The dynamic offers each member a huge influence on chamber events.
This might make it difficult for GOP leaders to enact proposals to finance the government or increase the debt ceiling.
The GOP’s inability to capture more seats — they required a net increase of five to seize the majority — was shocking, given Republican legislators changed congressional districts. Fortune was also on the Conservatives’ side:
The White House party has lost seats in congress in almost every new administration’s first midterm.
Changing Gears To Get America Back on Track
The majority party will lead Washington. McCarthy would head a boisterous conference of House Republicans who support Trump’s bare-knuckle tactics if elected speaker.
Many new Republicans disputed the 2020 presidential election results, despite judges, electoral authorities, and Trump’s attorney general refuting charges of massive fraud.
McCarthy clinched the House speaker nomination on Tuesday, with a floor vote in January.
McCarthy said he was happy to end one-party Democrat dominance in Washington after earning the nomination.
Republicans just won back control of the House. This is a big deal. The majority party in the House controls & dictates EVERYTHING. So the GOP will investigate EVERYTHING. They’ll disband the Jan 6th Committee on day 1 & launch an investigation of the Jan 6th Committee on day 2.
— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) November 16, 2022
Republicans campaigned to lower taxes and enhance border security. GOP legislators may deny help to Ukraine as it confronts Russia or exploits the prospect of defaulting on the nation’s debt to slash social spending and benefits. Still, all such endeavors will be harder given the GOP’s small majority.
Biden worked with Republicans as a senator and vice president. As president, he was unambiguous about the GOP’s dangers.
Biden claimed the midterms prove Americans desire bipartisan cooperation. He remarked that Republicans didn’t accomplish the electoral surge they’d hoped for and pledged not to change anything fundamentally.
AP High inflation and democratic worries affected voters, according to VoteCast. Half of the voters indicated inflation was a major factor, with rising grocery, petrol, housing, and food prices. 44% indicated democracy’s future was their top concern.
Contrary to GOP predictions, Biden wasn’t solely blamed for inflation, with over half of voters indicating other causes were to blame. Some gloomy voters chose Democratic candidates despite the president’s condemnation.
Democrats certainly profited from indignation over the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision, which cemented a woman’s abortion right. Michigan voters decided to maintain abortion rights, but Republicans in Kentucky rejected a similar measure.
7 in 10 voters claimed the high court’s decision reversing the 1973 abortion judgment influenced their midterm vote. VoteCast found the reversal unpopular. 6/10 are furious or unsatisfied. 6 in 10 approve a national law ensuring legal abortion.
