Republicans Retain Control of House, Securing All GOP Power in Washington with Trump’s Return

Republicans are expected to maintain control of the House of Representatives, solidifying GOP dominance in Washington as President-elect Trump prepares to re-enter the White House in January. Decision Desk HQ announced on Monday that Republicans had secured their 218th seat, achieving the majority needed in the House.

This victory is a significant achievement for Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican who rose to prominence rapidly and has since played a substantial role in shaping the House GOP’s legislative and campaign agendas. Notably, Republicans managed to secure some of their more at-risk seats, including those held by Representatives Don Bacon of Nebraska and David Valadao of California. In contrast, some Democratic incumbents, such as Representatives Susan Wild and Matt Cartwright of Pennsylvania, lost their seats to Republican challengers, Pennsylvania state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie and businessman Rob Bresnahan, respectively.

However, Republicans did not come away unscathed, with three first-term New York Representatives—Anthony D’Esposito, Marc Molinaro, and Brandon Williams—losing their reelection bids, along with Lori Chavez-DeRemer from Oregon. The final composition of the House remains uncertain as ballots are still being tallied for several races in California, but Republicans are predicted to hold a slim majority as the new Congress convenes.

The exact seat numbers will significantly impact Speaker Johnson’s future, the policies Republicans can push forward, and overall functionality in the lower chamber. Trump acknowledged Johnson’s efforts in his victory speech from Palm Beach early Wednesday, 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.” House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and House GOP Chair Elise Stefanik, who joined Trump at Mar-a-Lago, signaled the GOP’s strong support for the incoming Trump administration.

Republican leaders in the House and Senate have been working together for months to prepare a legislative agenda for Trump’s first 100 days under unified Republican control. Key legislative plans include extending tax cuts from Trump’s first term, increasing border wall funding, reversing climate policies, and advancing school choice.

Still, the GOP’s ambitious goals face potential hurdles. The previous Congress was marked by a notably slim House majority, which saw frequent internal disagreements that sometimes halted legislative proceedings. This discord was epitomized by the removal of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in a historic vote. Johnson’s future as Speaker also hangs in the balance, with the final majority size influencing his standing. Johnson has expressed intentions to pursue the Speaker role if Republicans secure a unified government, despite opposition from some hard-line conservatives. Earlier this year, he survived a challenge led by Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie, who sought to oust him; their efforts were thwarted with help from House Democrats.

Johnson will need near-total Republican backing to keep his Speaker position, as he requires a majority vote on the House floor in January 2025. “I intend to have my party’s support for Speaker on the House floor,” Johnson stated in an October interview.

The GOP win effectively blocks House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries from making history as the first Black Speaker. The contest for House control was closely fought, comparable to the presidential race, with battleground districts spread nationwide, although primarily in non-presidential battleground states. Democrats would have needed a net gain of at least four seats to claim the majority and had hoped that voters concerned about Republican positions on reproductive rights would boost their chances.

National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) Chair Richard Hudson, who is pursuing another term, highlighted key strategies that boosted the GOP’s House campaign. In an Election Day interview, Hudson credited the NRCC’s approach to splitting the cost of TV ads with candidates, enabling them to leverage lower ad rates and stretch campaign funds further. The NRCC also prioritized on-the-ground campaigning, with Hudson noting, “I feel like the last couple cycles, national parties have gotten away from ground game, and we made a major investment in our ground game this time around,” citing the opening of over 40 field offices, or “battle stations.”

This election outcome will shape the final legislative battles in the remaining weeks of the 118th Congress. Hard-line conservatives are likely to push to delay consideration of critical proposals until the new year when they hope a Republican-led Senate and White House will allow for more conservative policies and reduced spending. Meanwhile, the House will face pressing decisions in the lame-duck session, including funding for the government, which is set to expire on December 20.