Republicans are projected to retain their majority in the House of Representatives, giving President-elect Donald Trump unified control of the federal government for the first two years of his second term.
Under the leadership of House Speaker Mike Johnson, the GOP clinched at least the 218 seats necessary for control, as first reported by Decision Desk HQ on Monday. CBS News confirmed the projection on Wednesday, with Republicans holding at least 218 seats compared to Democrats’ 211. Six races remain uncalled.
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In his victory speech at Mar-a-Lago, Trump praised Johnson’s leadership, saying, “I want to thank Mike Johnson. I think he’s doing a terrific job.” He added, “America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate.”
The Republican retention of the House marks another defeat for Democrats, who faced losses in key battleground races nationwide. With Trump sweeping every battleground state and the GOP flipping four Senate seats, the party has secured full control of the executive and legislative branches, setting the stage to advance Trump’s legislative agenda.
The GOP’s current House majority, though slimmer than during Trump’s first term, leaves little room for internal dissent. Trump’s appointments of House Republicans Elise Stefanik of New York and Mike Waltz of Florida to his administration further tighten the margins.
Legislative Priorities and Challenges Ahead
Republicans are expected to prioritize a budget reconciliation package early next year, aiming to extend the tax cuts passed in 2017 and reverse spending from the Biden-Harris administration. Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has called for including border security measures in the budget plan.
With a narrow majority, Speaker Johnson can afford to lose only a few votes from his party if House Democrats stand united in opposition.
Key GOP Victories in Tight Races
Several Republican incumbents in competitive districts held onto their seats despite significant Democratic challenges:
- Rep. Mike Lawler (NY-17): Lawler defeated former Democratic Rep. Mondaire Jones by about seven percentage points, overcoming a strong Democratic registration advantage and heavy campaign spending against him.
- Rep. Don Bacon (NE-2): Bacon secured a narrow victory by three percentage points, outperforming Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, who won the district by a four-point margin.
- Rep. Ken Calvert (CA-41): Calvert, chair of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, narrowly won his rematch against Democrat Will Rollins, who outraised him by $4 million.
Republicans also flipped several key seats, including:
- Ryan Mackenzie (PA-7) and Rob Bresnahan (PA-8): Both won against Democratic incumbents Susan Wild and Matt Cartwright in close races.
- Tom Barrett (MI-7): Barrett claimed victory in the district formerly held by Democratic Senator-elect Elissa Slotkin.
- Gabe Evans (CO-8): Evans unseated freshman Democratic Rep. Yadira Caraveo in a key GOP pickup.
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