GOP wins House majority, completing Washington sweep
The Republicans now control the House of Representatives, completing a trifecta at Washington and giving the party the power to implement the agenda of President-elect Donald Trump.
Days after Republicans took control of the Senate, wins in California and Arizona gave them a majority of 218 seats.
The Associated Press called House for the Republican party overnight on Wednesday and Thursday.
They said it couldn’t have been done. “But the American people spoke,” said Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina, Republican and Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee.
The Republicans will view the victories as an opportunity to implement big plans. From a mass-deportation program to tax packages that extend 2017 cuts, and deliver on Mr. Trump’s campaign promises.
Congress may also need to approve Trump’s call for tariffs against other countries.
The Republicans won by attacking Vice President Kamalah Harris, President Biden and Democrats for unchecked immigration at the southern border as well as high consumer prices which are putting Americans in debt. These everyday concerns outweighed the Democrats’ focus on democratic values and attacks on Trump’s temperament.
In contrast to eight years ago the GOP has become less suspicious of Donald Trump and has embraced his agenda “Make America Great again”.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has expressed his open solidarity with Mr. Trump and they plan to look closely at the government’s waste.
“The American People want us to implement that ‘America First Agenda’,” Mr. Johnson said, a Louisiana Republican.
It won’t be easy. Once all the results are in, Republicans will have a small majority. This allows individual legislators to demand things even while leadership is trying to control its conference.
Mr. Trump plans to poach several House Republicans as members of his Cabinet. This will require special elections. Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz are the three representatives he has chosen so far. Elise Stefanik and Matt Gaetz have resigned from Congress after Trump announced that he would be nominating Matt Gaetz to become U.S. Attorney General.
Washington was stunned by Mr. Trump’s choice of Mr. Gaetz. A vocal firebrand, Mr. Gaetz led a revolt in the House against Kevin McCarthy. Trump was seen as showing his strength and it could cause trouble in the Senate, where Republican allies may decide to use their voting power against Mr. Trump’s nominees.
Democrats are looking for the best message to win back voters.
After a party gathering, Missouri Democrat Rep. Emanuel Cleaver said, “When you are beaten by politics, be a student and not a victim.” “And that’s why we should be looking into the whole thing.”