With House win, Republicans clinch governing trifecta

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Nov 13, 2024 / 17:40 pm (CNA).

Republican lawmakers will maintain control of the House of Representatives, which completes a governing trifecta heading into January 2025.

The Republican Party will hold at least a small House majority in the 119th Congress after securing narrow wins in various competitive congressional districts. As of late Wednesday afternoon, Republicans had won at least 219 seats, while Democrats had won 211 seats, according to Decision Desk HQ.

There are still five races yet to be called. 

“It’s a new day in America,” Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a post on X. 

“The American people want secure borders, lower costs, safe communities, strength on the world stage, and an end to woke, radical policies,” Johnson said. “Under President Trump, House Republicans will deliver, helping usher in a new golden age in America.”

According to Decision Desk HQ, Republicans are expected to win two of the seats that have not yet been called and Democrats are also expected to win two. One of the races remains listed as a toss-up. 

If these races remain on that trajectory, Republicans will hold either a nine-seat majority or a seven-seat majority. Heading into the election, Republicans held an eight-seat majority in the chamber, with three vacancies.

However, some of President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet appointments could affect the final number as he continues to nominate a handful of lawmakers to serve in key roles. If they are confirmed, at least two members will resign their House seats to serve in the administration. 

If those members of Congress are confirmed to serve in the administration, they will need to be replaced in a special election.

In addition to winning the House of Representatives and the White House, Republicans also flipped control of the Senate. The GOP will head into the new year with a six-seat majority after flipping Senate seats in four states: West Virginia, Montana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. 

“Looking forward to joining the Senate freshman class of 2025 for orientation this week!” Republican Sen.-elect Dave McCormick wrote after winning a tightly contested race against incumbent Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. Bob Casey Jr.

“I’m honored to represent the people of Pennsylvania, and will fight hard to make sure their voices are heard in Washington,” he wrote on X. “Let’s get to work!”

This is a reversal of the current two-seat Democratic majority in the chamber.

These numbers will also be affected by Sen. JD Vance serving as Trump’s vice president and could be affected if Sen. Marco Rubio is confirmed as secretary of state.

Thune will be Senate majority leader, Johnson to remain House speaker

Republican lawmakers selected Sen. John Thune from South Dakota to serve as the Senate majority leader and selected House Speaker Mike Johnson to continue serving in his role.

The selection of Thune to lead the Senate Republican Caucus comes after the previous leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell, announced he would step down from leadership earlier in the year. 

“Republicans have a mandate from the American people to clean up the mess left by the Biden-Harris-Schumer agenda and to deliver on President Trump’s priorities — our work starts today,” Thune said following his election.

Thune had previously been serving as the Senate minority whip for the Republicans. Thune, who is a pro-life evangelical Christian, spoke about his faith with EWTN earlier this year.

The selection of Johnson to keep serving as speaker comes after he received an endorsement from Trump. The Republican from Louisiana is an outspoken evangelical Christian and has been a vocal pro-life advocate.

“Our strong Republican majority is looking forward to advancing your agenda that puts the American people FIRST!” Johnson said in a post on X. “As you said, we will unify and get it done!”

However, the role of speaker requires a majority vote from the House of Representatives as a whole, which caused problems for former speaker Kevin McCarthy when he faced opposition from every Democrat and a small number of Republicans two years ago.

Although Johnson ran unopposed, if a small number of Republicans resist the party’s selection, it could make his path to speakership tougher. 

The last time Republicans had a governing trifecta was after the 2016 elections, which is when Trump won his first term in office. Republicans lost that trifecta in 2018 after losing the House of Representatives.

Source: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260471/with-house-win-republicans-clinch-governing-trifecta