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Jimmy Williams
The Associated Press called a 217th House seat for the GOP on Wednesday, securing the Republican Party’s control of the House and, with it, a Washington trifecta: the White House, Senate, and House of Representatives. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries confirmed the loss for Democrats, stating that while House Democrats “gave it our all,” they “fell just a few seats short.”
The call comes eight days after Election Day, with results trickling in from key battlegrounds. Republicans now hold a slim but decisive advantage that will allow them to move forward on a legislative agenda crafted to align with President-elect Donald Trump’s policies. While exact numbers are still pending, it’s expected the GOP majority will be narrower than in 2017, when they held a 23-seat margin.
With outstanding races in several states, CBS News has projected GOP wins in at least 217 seats. One of the most recent races called was in California’s 41st District, where Republican incumbent Rep. Ken Calvert defeated Democratic challenger Will Rollins. Elsewhere, Democrat Kirsten Engel conceded in Arizona’s 6th District to GOP Rep. Juan Ciscomani.
Republican leaders have already begun preparations for an aggressive legislative push in January, focused on issues Trump emphasized during his campaign: tax reform, immigration, and energy policies. House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed confidence in the GOP’s readiness, noting the party’s commitment to avoiding the delays seen in 2017, when Republicans initially struggled to move key legislation forward. “We will be ready on day one,” Johnson said, adding that Republicans had learned from past mistakes.
The GOP’s narrow House majority could make passing legislation more challenging, especially with Representatives Elise Stefanik, Michael Waltz, and Matt Gaetz set to join Trump’s administration, creating temporary vacancies. This slimmer majority could lead to close votes and could require deft management by House GOP leaders. Majority Leader Steve Scalise has suggested that Republicans will leverage budget reconciliation—a process that bypasses the Senate’s 60-vote threshold—to expedite changes in tax law and enact parts of Trump’s agenda.
In a statement, Jeffries highlighted the close margin of the GOP’s House victory, calling it “unprecedented in a so-called presidential wave election.” He added, “House Democrats will hold Republicans to a razor-thin majority,” a position he suggested would enable his party to pressure GOP leaders on bipartisan issues.
Key Wins and Losses Across the Map Republicans flipped several high-profile seats, including Pennsylvania’s 7th and 8th Districts, where Ryan E. Mackenzie and Rob Bresnahan defeated Democratic incumbents Susan Wild and Matt Cartwright, respectively. Other notable wins included Tom Barrett in Michigan’s 7th District and Gabe Evans in Colorado’s 8th District.
Despite GOP gains, Democrats managed some significant flips of their own, particularly in New York, where John Mannion, Josh Riley, and Laura Gillen defeated Republican incumbents in the 22nd, 19th, and 4th Districts, respectively. George Whitesides also ousted Republican Rep. Mike Garcia in California’s 27th District.
Some of the remaining seats are subject to ranked-choice voting, which could alter the final count. Republican Nick Begich leads Democrat Mary Peltola in Alaska’s at-large seat, while in Maine’s 2nd District, Democrat Jared Golden holds a slim lead over Republican challenger Austin Theriault.
New Republican Leadership and Strategic Priorities GOP leaders will soon finalize leadership posts and committee priorities for the 2025 Congress. Scalise confirmed that Republicans are prepared to use budget reconciliation to bypass Senate procedural hurdles, allowing for swift action on tax and energy policy reforms.
Thune and Scalise emphasized that the GOP’s immediate focus will be advancing Trump’s agenda with unity and urgency. As Scalise noted last week, “This is the time to secure America’s interests, rebuild our energy independence, and uphold a government that works for all Americans.”
With control of both chambers and the presidency, the GOP is poised to drive its agenda on issues from national security to healthcare, setting the stage for a transformative term.
