After two years of Democratic control of both the House and Senate, the power dynamic in Washington will now shift. 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 major victory in the state of Nevada. But Republicans picked up enough seats to reach the 218-seat majority needed to win the House, according to NBC projections. However, the Democrats’ fear of a “red wave” victory was averted. The expected surge of support for the Republican Party, many of whose candidates have been endorsed by Donald Trump, has failed to materialize, leaving them with a slim majority. Sen. Mitch McConnell was also re-elected as Republican leader on Wednesday, fending off a challenge from Sen. Rick Scott of Florida. Image: Mitch McConnell Read more: Midterms were a referendum on extreme politics of ‘Make America Great Again’ candidates Biden congratulated House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy on the party’s victory and said he was ready to work with them “to get 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 bright to get caught up in political warfare. “The American people want us to do things 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 — Republican or Democrat — who is willing to work with me to get results for them”. Mr McCarthy tweeted that the Republicans “called the House of the People”. It still counts The full extent of the party’s majority may not be clear for several days – or weeks – as votes in competitive races are still being counted. But they are on track to put together 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 incumbent 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 Mr. Biden’s low approval ratings. The House result comes a day after former President Donald Trump announced his intention to run for president again. The new Congress will convene on January 3, 2023.
