Republicans Officially Take Back the House After 4 Years with Democratic Majority – Soon, a Republican will succeed Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as the third-highest ranking U.S. official. Democratic control of the U.S. House of Representatives for the previous four years has been reclaimed by the Republican Party in the midterm elections of 2022. Republicans were long anticipated to seize control of the House of Representatives’ lower chamber in 2023 due to President Joe Biden’s waning popularity, which impacted Democratic electoral prospects.
Though Democrats received a boost in the polls when Roe v. Wade was overturned, making them more competitive across the board, as the election approached, inflation and crime began to dominate the conversation in many important districts, restoring the Republicans’ advantage. Historically, the party of the sitting president, in this case the Democratic Party, suffers heavily during midterm elections. While Democrats did lose a number of seats in the House, they outperformed forecasts and sustained minimal damage, making it the best midterm performance by a leading party in 20 years and the best under a first-term president in 40 years.
As long as Democrats hold a majority in the Senate, it will be more difficult for Republicans to approve contentious legislation in the House. In January, when the incoming Congress convenes, House representatives will vote for a new speaker to oversee the legislative chamber. Tradition dictates that the congresses of both major parties convene beforehand to pick their respective nominees.
Typically, the highest-ranking party official at the moment and representatives are expected to endorse their party’s candidacy. Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy was chosen by the GOP to replace Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi as speaker of the House in January. Rep. Steve Scalise was selected as the House majority leader, the second-highest ranking Republican politician. McCarthy has already begun preparing for a power transition in the House and has stated that his top priority will be safeguarding the southern border of the United States.
READ MORE
Russia Strives to Avoid G20 Isolation as China and India Distance Themselves
Trump Files Lawsuit to Avoid Jan. 6 Committee Subpoena
Pelosi Says Retirement Decision ‘Will be Affected’ by Attack on Husband
