Republicans have officially won control of the U.S. House of Representatives, giving the GOP the power to challenge President Biden’s agenda.
On Wednesday, more than a week after Election Day, the Republican party secured the 218th seat needed to take control of the House from the Democrats.
The pivotal seat was won in California, with Representative Mike Garcia being declared the winner in his reelection bid in the state’s 27th district over Democratic challenger Christy Smith.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy celebrated his party’s victory on Twitter, writing, “Republicans have officially flipped the People’s House! Americans are ready for a new direction, and House Republicans are ready to deliver.”
After the House was called, Speaker Nancy Pelosi released a statement saying, “This year, House Democrats defied expectations with an excellent performance: running their races with courage, optimism, and determination.”
“In the next Congress, House Democrats will continue to play a leading role in supporting President Biden’s agenda — with strong leverage over a scant Republican majority,” she said.
President Biden said he is “ready to work with House Republicans to deliver results for working families” in a statement released by the White House.
“Last week’s elections demonstrated the strength and resilience of American democracy,” he claimed. “The American people want us to get things done for them. They want us to focus on the issues that matter to them and on making their lives better. And I will work with anyone — Republican or Democrat — willing to work with me to deliver results for them.”
The midterm elections have given the Republican party considerable power in Washington, as they will take control of key congressional committees and have the ability to shape federal legislation.
When discussing plans for a Republican majority before Election Day, McCarthy pledged to focus on the nation’s border security crisis, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
“The first thing you’ll see is a bill to control the border,” he said. “You’ve got to get control over the border. You’ve had almost 2 million people just this year alone coming across.”
McCarthy also said he would not use impeachment as a political weapon, as many Republicans believe the Democrats did during their impeachment of former President Donald Trump.
“We will never use impeachment for political purposes,” McCarthy said. “That doesn’t mean if something rises to the occasion, it would not be used at any other time.”