Republicans have regained control of the US House of Representatives.
After two years of Democratic control of both the House and Senate, the power dynamic in Washington will now change.
It means President Joe Biden’s administration could struggle to enact parts of its legislative agenda.
Democrats managed to retain control of the Senate after a key victory in the state of Nevada.
But Republicans picked up enough seats to reach the 218-seat majority needed to win the House, NBC projections show. However, the Democrats’ fear of a “red wave” of victory was averted.
The expected surge in support for the Republican Party, many of whose candidates were backed by Donald Trump, did not materialize, leaving them with a slim majority.
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Now, Republicans will take control of key committees, giving them the ability to shape legislation and launch probes into Biden, his family and his administration.
There is particular interest in investigating the foreign business dealings of the president’s son, Hunter Biden. Some of the more conservative lawmakers have raised the possibility of impeaching Mr. Biden, although that will be much more difficult for the party to do with a narrow majority.
Any legislation that emerges from the House could face strong odds in the Senate, where Democrats won an outright majority on Saturday.
Both parties are seeking a Senate runoff on Dec. 6 in Georgia as their last chance to rally their ranks.
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Biden congratulated House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy on the party’s victory and said he was ready to work with them “to deliver results for working families.”
He added: “In this election, voters spoke clearly about their concerns: the need to reduce costs, protect the right to choose and preserve our democracy.
“As I said last week, the future is too promising to get caught up in a political war.
“The American people want us to get things done for them. They want us to focus on the issues that matter to them and on improving their lives. And I will work with anyone, Republican or Democrat, who is willing to work with me to deliver -them. results for them.”
McCarthy tweeted that the Republicans had “turned the House of the People.”
still counting
The full extent of the party’s majority may not be clear for several more days — or weeks — as votes are still being counted in competitive races.
But they are on track to secure what could be the party’s narrowest majority of the 21st century, rivaling 2001, when Republicans held just a nine-seat majority, 221-212 with two independents.
Historically, the ruling party almost always suffers losses in a president’s first midterm election, and rising inflation and worries about the economy have been big factors in Biden’s low approval ratings.
The House result comes a day after former President Donald Trump announced his intention to run for president again.
Sen. Mitch McConnell was also re-elected as Republican leader Wednesday, fending off a challenge from Sen. Rick Scott of Florida.
The new Congress will be convened on January 3, 2023.