Despite other midterm disappointments, it marks a major victory for the party that has been in the minority of the House since 2019 — and will be a blow to President Joe Biden’s agenda in Congress. Democrats have already won control of the Senate, securing 50 seats with a chance to win one more in a Georgia runoff next month between incumbent Sen. Raphael Warnock and his Republican challenger, Herschel Walker. But Republicans, who will take over the House in January, will now be able to block the White House’s legislative priorities, decide which bills come to the floor and have the chance to launch committee investigations into the Biden administration. Several House Republicans have already said they plan to investigate Hunter Biden, the president’s son, and examine the administration’s policies on COVID-19 and the southern border. The Republican House leader, Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California, was nominated by his colleagues this week to be the next speaker, the chamber’s top post and second in line for the presidency. “I am proud to announce that the era of one-party Democratic rule in Washington is over,” McCarthy said after Tuesday’s internal leadership vote. In a tweet Wednesday night, he wrote: “Americans are ready for a new direction and House Republicans are ready to provide it.” Biden also issued a statement Wednesday that alluded to some Republican losses in the midterm elections, but said: “I congratulate Leader McCarthy on the Republicans winning the House majority, and I’m ready to work with the House Republicans to get results.” for working families”. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy speaks as Rep. Kelly Armstrong, Rep. Troy Nels, Rep. Jim Banks and Speaker of the House Republican Conference Elise Stefanik listen during a news conference on Capitol Hill, June 9, 2022. Alex Wong/Getty Images McCarthy unveiled his party’s vision for Republican governance ahead of the midterm elections. Their “Commitment to America” plan focused on four key areas: building an “economy that is strong,” “a nation that is secure,” “a future built on freedom,” and “a government that is accountable.” The talk to voters largely avoided specific policy, instead focusing on criticisms and opposition to Biden’s leadership — especially high inflation and anxiety over crime. McCarthy also promised to cut federal government spending and said Republicans are ready to seek more congressional oversight of billions in economic aid to Ukraine as the nation defends itself against Russian invasion. Republicans had been favored for months to regain control of the chamber, according to FiveThirtyEight’s forecast. Midterms have historically been a referendum on the president’s party. Only twice in the last 19 midterms — stretching back nearly 40 years — has the president’s party actually won seats in the House. But the expected “red wave” did not fully materialize, as Democrats held the Senate and limited their losses in the House. Exit polling showed voters, including independents, favoring Democrats on key issues such as abortion access, despite public disapproval of economic conditions. “We know our job won’t be easy,” McCarthy said Tuesday. “We know the task. We have a narrow majority. We should work together. We want to work with whoever wants to make America stronger.” Biden, meanwhile, celebrated shrugging off historic headwinds after framing the election as a choice between Democratic priorities and those of far-right “MAGA Republicans” rather than an assessment of his first two years as commander-in-chief. “I’m incredibly pleased with the turnout,” Biden told reporters when Democrats were tipped to win the Senate. “And I think it’s a reflection of the quality of our candidates.”
