Republicans are gearing up to retain control of the House of Representatives, sealing the party’s hold on Washington with President-elect Trump set to reclaim the Oval Office come January. Decision Desk HQ called the House majority for Republicans on Monday, noting they’d hit the 218-seat mark to maintain control in the lower chamber.
This win is a big one for Speaker Mike Johnson, who’s gone from relatively unknown to a top GOP leader almost overnight. Not only is Johnson spearheading legislative efforts, but he’s also taken on a significant role in the party’s campaign machine, making him a key player in this political sweep.
Republicans managed to defend several vulnerable seats, including those held by Reps. Don Bacon of Nebraska and David Valadao of California. Meanwhile, they snagged some seats from Democrats, such as the upset victories by Pennsylvania state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie over Rep. Susan Wild and businessman Rob Bresnahan over Rep. Matt Cartwright. These wins helped cushion GOP losses, including the re-election bids of New York’s freshman Republicans Anthony D’Esposito, Marc Molinaro, and Brandon Williams, as well as Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer from Oregon.
Though Republicans are poised to hold a slim majority, final counts in a few California races will ultimately determine the House’s exact breakdown. This razor-thin margin will be crucial for Johnson’s political future and the kind of legislation Republicans can realistically push through. In his victory speech from Mar-a-Lago, Trump gave a nod to Johnson, saying, “It also looks like we’ll be keeping control of the House of Representatives. And I want to thank Mike Johnson. I think he’s doing a terrific job.” Clearly, Johnson’s gained some favor in Trump’s eyes, which could mean a lot for his influence in the coming term.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and House GOP Chair Elise Stefanik were among those celebrating Trump’s win at Mar-a-Lago, underscoring the House GOP’s alignment with Trump’s next administration. In fact, top House Republicans have already been coordinating with their Senate colleagues on a legislative blitz for Trump’s first 100 days. High on the list are extending Trump-era tax cuts, pouring more funds into border wall construction, rolling back climate policies, and expanding school choice options.
But it’s not all smooth sailing for the GOP’s ambitions. The last couple of years of this narrow House majority were punctuated by internal GOP skirmishes that stalled legislative progress. The fiasco reached a peak with the historic ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, so the party’s unity will be tested as Johnson and the House leadership tackle a long wish list in the months ahead. Whether Johnson can keep his party’s various factions in line remains to be seen, but all eyes will be on how effectively Republicans wield their renewed influence.
