Republicans are now just 1 seat away from a slim House majority
A series of House races called for Republicans in California, Arizona, and New York on Monday evening pushed the GOP to 217 House seats in the next Congress, versus 204 for Democrats, according to Associated Press projections. That puts Republicans one seat away from clinching a majority.
There were still 14 uncalled House races as of Monday night, most of them in California; Republicans lead in four of those races while Democrats lead in nine, The New York Times reports. There are "a lot of options for the GOP to get that 218th seat, perhaps as soon as tomorrow," New York Times election data reporter Nate Cohn tweeted Monday night.
"Even barely achieving 218, though, means Republicans will likely have the narrowest majority of the 21st century," perhaps in line with the GOP's 221-212 majority in 2021, AP reports. That would give Republicans control over House committees, allowing them to launch investigations they have promised into the Biden administration and the president's son, Hunter Biden. "But a slim numerical advantage will pose immediate challenges for GOP leaders and complicate the party's ability to govern," AP notes, and it's "far short of the sweeping victory Republicans predicted going into this year's midterm elections."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Given the GOP's "historically weak performance in the midterm elections, its members appeared bitterly divided over who should lead what was shaping up to be a tiny and unruly House majority," the Times reports. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) spent Monday "scrounging for the support he would need to become the House speaker." McCarthy allies even "made multiple calls to Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas," asking him "if he would switch parties to expand the GOP majority," The Wall Street Journal reported. "Cuellar turned them down."
Republicans will be happy to have even a bare majority in one chamber of Congress, giving them real power in Washington. But "the GOP's failure to notch more gains was especially surprising because the party went into the election benefiting from congressional maps that were redrawn by Republican legislatures," AP reports. It was an unusual election on any terms, though, and redistricting did play a role, feeding a "red wave" in heavily gerrymandered Florida and also in New York, where Democratic attempts to redraw districts were struck down by a state court.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Today's political cartoons - April 14, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - Trump Derangement Syndrome, social media dangers, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 rambunctious cartoons about the House speakership standoff
Cartoons Artists take on Mike Johnson's night terrors, the Speaker's chair, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The Week Unwrapped: Ultrarunning, menswear and a meaty row
Podcast Is the "Hardest Geezer" a high-endurance trendsetter? Will Ted Baker survive? And what's the beef with lab-grown meat?
By The Week Staff Published
-
Making sense of FISA's strange bedfellows in Congress
The Explainer How a controversial intelligence gathering law is bringing progressive Democrats and privacy hawk Republicans together
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'This isn't judicial restraint — it's judicial activism'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
US, Israel brace for Iran retaliatory strikes
Speed Read An Iranian attack on Israel is believed to be imminent
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Congress honors real-life Rosie the Riveters
Speed Read These American women reshaped the work force during World War II
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Outgunned Ukraine could fall, US general warns
Speed Read Without more US aid, Ukraine is at risk of losing the war
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
House GOP scuttles FISA vote at Trump's urging
Speed Read Right-wing lawmakers blocked Speaker Mike Johnson's surveillance bill
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Biden pitches student loan forgiveness for millions
Speed Read The latest relief plan would benefit nearly 30 million borrowers
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published