Following the projection by the Associated Press that Rep. Mike Garcia, a Republican, would win his reelection campaign to California’s 27th District, GOP has won the 218 seats required to win the majority in the House.
As the vote counting continues more than a week after Election Day, Democrats have won 211 seats, with six seats still in play.
After news emerged that Republicans had won back the House, President Joe Biden released a statement congratulating House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA.) for the GOP’s victory.
In his statement, Biden relayed his belief that “voters spoke clearly” regarding their desire for lower costs protection for “the right to choose, and preserve our democracy.”
Biden added that his willing to work “with anyone — Republican or Democrat” that will work with him.
The victory for the GOP comes on the back of a predicted red wave for the party that failed to materialize. Despite reclaiming the House majority, the GOP will only have a slim margin over Democrats, even if they win all remaining seats.
This margin places emphasis on Republican unity, which is already showing signs of fracturing after 31 conservative Republicans opposed a vote to have Mccarthy be the party’s House Speaker nominee when the new Congress votes for a House Speaker in January.
McCarthy still won the nomination 188 – 31, but the number of dissenting colleagues reveals he’ll have to do significant wheeling and dealing within his party to obtain support.
He’ll likely use rule changes and Committee appointments as bargaining chips to get that support.
