A secured hold on govt: Republicans win enough seats to control the US House

The Republican Party has won enough seats to control the US House, securing a hold on the American government. A report by the news agency Associated Press on Thursday (Nov 14) said that a House Republican victory in Arizona, alongside a win in slow-counting California earlier Wednesday, gave the GOP the 218 House victories that make up the majority.

Republicans had earlier gained control of the Senate from Democrats. The report said that with hard-fought yet thin majorities, Republicans are now envisioning a mandate to upend the federal government and swiftly implement President-elect Donald Trump's vision for the country.

A party completely transformed by MAGA

Trump has made several promises including extending tax breaks, carrying out the country's largest-ever deportation operation, and reshaping the economy. The GOP election wins ensure that Congress would be onboard for these agendas, and the Democratic Party would be almost powerless to check it. 

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The report pointed out that when Trump first became president in 2016, Republicans swept Congress but some party leaders were resistant to his ideas. But this is not the situation at present. 

When he returns to the White House, Trump will be working with a Republican Party that has been completely transformed by his “Make America Great Again” movement and a Supreme Court dominated by conservative justices, including three that he appointed.

Trump’s allies in the House are already signalling they will seek retribution for the legal troubles Trump faced while out of office. 

This comes as Trump announced on Wednesday that he would appoint Matt Gaetz, a fierce loyalist, for attorney general.

A look at last two years of Republican House control

With the thin majority, a highly functioning House is also far from guaranteed.

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The past two years of Republican House control were defined by infighting as hardline conservative factions sought to gain influence and power by openly defying their party leadership. 

(With inputs from agencies)