According to NBC, the Republican Party is projected to secure a dominant number of seats in the House of Representatives.
This outcome would enable them to maintain their leadership of the chamber, which they have governed since 2023, and would grant them comprehensive control over the government for the first time since the early days of Donald Trump’s presidency in 2017.
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With control over the House, Senate, and the White House, Republicans will find it significantly simpler to advance their policy initiatives, particularly the continuation of extensive tax reductions that are scheduled to lapse at the end of next year.
Over the last two years, House Republicans faced significant challenges while navigating one of the smallest majorities in U.S. history. They struggled to reach consensus within their ranks, replaced their leader amidst turmoil, and frequently depended on Democratic support to advance legislation. As a result, the 118th Congress is considered one of the least effective in recent times, marked by a notable level of incivility. Given the narrow margin in the Senate and the ongoing presence of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), it seems likely that this trend of discord will persist. However, with control of both the House and Senate firmly in Republican hands, the passage of more legislation is anticipated.
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Republicans are aiming to prolong $5 trillion in tax cuts for American families that are set to lapse at the end of 2025. They are also considering additional cuts proposed by Trump during his campaign, including reductions on tipped income and even steeper cuts for specific corporations. During their last period of governance in 2017, taxes were one of the few areas where Republicans found common ground.
This time around, the situation might be less tumultuous. After a chaotic period without leadership, Mike Johnson (R-La.) was elected as House Speaker in October 2023, aligning closely with Trump. He has reinforced Trump’s unfounded claims of voter fraud through symbolic legislative efforts, while his deputies have conducted unproductive investigations into the Biden administration.
As Republicans prepare to select their speaker in January, Johnson is the frontrunner. Although some far-right members have voiced concerns over his willingness to collaborate with Democrats on government funding bills, no alternative candidate has yet surfaced. Johnson’s strong ties to Trump—having even traveled to be with him on election night—are likely to bolster his chances of retaining the speaker’s position.
