Republicans have won control of the House, cementing a trifecta in Washington and empowering the party to enact President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda.
Wins in California and Arizona clinched a majority of at least 218 seats for the GOP, days after Republicans seized control of the Senate from Democrats.
The Associated Press called the House for the Republican side overnight Wednesday into Thursday.
“They said it couldn’t be done. But the American people have spoken,” said Rep. Richard Hudson, North Carolina Republican and chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee.
Republicans will see the victories as a clear mandate to enact big plans, from a mass deportation program to a tax package that extends 2017 cuts and delivers on Mr. Trump’s big campaign promises.
Congress might also have to approve Mr. Trump’s push for sweeping tariffs on other nations.
Republicans won after attacking President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Democrats over unchecked migration at the southern border and high consumer prices that are walloping Americans’ wallets. Those everyday concerns overcame Democrats’ focus on democracy and attacks on Mr. Trump’s temperament.
Unlike eight years ago, GOP lawmakers are less wary of Mr. Trump and have embraced his Make America Great Again agenda.
House Speaker Mike Johnson and Mr. Trump have expressed open solidarity and plan to take a hard look at government waste.
“The American people want us to implement and deliver that ‘America First’ agenda,” said Mr. Johnson, Louisiana Republican.
It won’t always be easy. Republicans will hold a narrow majority once all the races are called, empowering individual lawmakers to make demands even as leadership tries to corral its conference.
Mr. Trump is planning to poach several House Republicans for his Cabinet, requiring special elections. He’s selected Reps. Matt Gaetz, Mike Waltz and Elise Stefanik so far, and Mr. Gaetz submitted his resignation from the House after Mr. Trump announced his planned nomination for U.S. attorney general.
Mr. Trump’s decision to pick Mr. Gaetz, a vocal firebrand who led a revolt against former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, stunned Washington. It was viewed as a show of force by Mr. Trump and could lead to trouble on the Senate side, where Republican allies will have to decide whether to exert their power to vote against Mr. Trump’s nominees.
Democrats, meanwhile, are searching for the right message to bring voters back to their side.
“When you take a political pounding, become a student, not a victim,” said Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, Missouri Democrat, after a party meeting. “And the point is that we need to be looking deeply into this whole thing.”
• Susan Ferrechio contributed to this report.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.