On Wednesday, the Republicans secured a slim majority in the United States’ (US) House of Representatives after Rep. Mike Garcia (R-CA) won the crucial 218th seat by winning California’s 27th Congressional District. However, earlier this week, the Democrats won a majority in the Senate, potentially signalling a period of political gridlock.
The Republicans had expected a “red wave” in the face of President Joe Biden’s low approval ratings due to the country’s flailing economy and rising living costs. Moreover, it is generally thought that the party that controls the White House eventually loses the mid-terms.
IT'S OFFICIAL! Democrats' One-Party rule is OVER. @HouseGOP and I are ready to get to work for the American people, and fulfill our #CommitmentToAmerica with a GOP House Majority.
— Kevin McCarthy (@kevinomccarthy) November 16, 2022
However, in an impressive turn of events, the Democrats won the majority in the Senate and secured 211 seats in the House, with votes still being counted in a few districts. Experts believe that the Supreme Court overturning the Roe vs. Wade verdict in June, and thus effectively abolishing abortion rights in the country, was one of the main reasons for the Democrats’ success.
“It fundamentally changed our politics — there’s a before and after. And the after is really bad for Republicans,” Democratic strategist Simon Rosenberg claimed.
Nevertheless, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy ( ) proclaimed that the GOP had “officially flipped” the House in a celebratory tweet, adding, “Americans are ready for a new direction, and House Republicans are ready to deliver.” He also won the party leadership nomination 188-31 and is poised to replace current House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during the January session.
“The American people have spoken. They’ve given us the majority. They expect us to deliver on our promises and we're going to do that.” - @RepRichHudson pic.twitter.com/iOTWP5zQjE
— House Republicans (@HouseGOP) November 15, 2022
In a statement on Wednesday, Pelosi commended the Democrats’ “courage, optimism and determination” for defying expectations with their “excellent performance” in the elections. “In the next Congress, House Democrats will continue to play a leading role in supporting President Biden’s agenda — with strong leverage over a scant Republican majority,” she affirmed.
Likewise, Biden asserted that the 8 November election was a testimony to the “strength and resilience of American democracy.”
“There was a strong rejection of election deniers, political violence, and intimidation. There was an emphatic statement that, in America, the will of the people prevails,” he noted.
We salute our departing Members for their magnificent leadership, achieving landmark progress on health care, climate action, infrastructure, gun violence, veterans and more that can never be diminished.
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) November 17, 2022
Biden also congratulated McCarthy and stressed that he is “ready to work with House Republicans to deliver results for working families,” adding that “the future is too promising to be trapped in political warfare.”
The narrow majority has resulted in a blame game, with many within the GOP criticising former President Donald Trump for endorsing candidates that did not enjoy the support of the majority of the public, except his voter base. In retaliation, Trump hit back at Senate Minority leader Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) for the less-than-stellar showing. Trump also announced his presidential bid for the 2024 election on Tuesday.
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 making their lives better. And I will work with anyone willing to work with me to deliver results for them.
— President Biden (@POTUS) November 17, 2022
By capturing the House, Republicans will gain control of key committees and could begin investigations against Biden and his administration officials, the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, the US’ chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan last August, and set up a probe to investigate whether the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) raid at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home had a political motive.
They are also interested in targeting Hunter Biden for his suspicious overseas dealings. In fact, a Louisiana judge has already ordered an FBI cybersecurity agent to submit a deposition in a case where it was alleged that the FBI forced social media companies to block articles on Hunter Biden’s laptop before the 2020 presidential election.
Republicans won majority of the US House; not control.
— Yossi Gestetner (@YossiGestetner) November 17, 2022
Control is in the hands of Dems.
Remember that @SpeakerRyan with 241 seats a few years back didn't deliver on basic GOP stuff while @SpeakerPelosi with 222 seats plowed ahead for the Left and crushed GOP on process too.
In addition, during a private meeting on Monday, McCarthy promised to remove Minnesota Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar from the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and California Representatives Eric Swalwell and Adam Schiff from the House Intelligence Committee.
Before the Republicans gain control of the House in January, the Democrats aim to pass a government funding bill for the remaining financial year in order to avoid a shutdown. They also plan to introduce a revamped version of the 1887 Electoral Count Act to prevent another January 6-like attack on Capitol Hill.