Republicans move closer to unified power with gains in US House elections | News about the 2024 US election

Republicans are five seats short of a majority in the House of Representatives, and 20 races have not yet been called.

After winning another seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, Republicans are moving closer to unified control of the U.S. government.

Incumbent Congressman Eli Crane, who represents Arizona’s Second District, won re-election on Saturday, the Associated Press predicted. His victory brings the Republican Party to 213 of the 218 seats needed for a majority in the House of Representatives.

With Donald Trump’s victory in the November 5 presidential election and Republicans also gaining control of the Senate, or upper chamber of Congress, retaining the House of Representatives would give Republicans a strong mandate. The party would have a greater chance of pushing through a comprehensive legislative agenda focused on tax and spending cuts, energy deregulation and tougher border security.

Meanwhile, Democrats secured 202 seats in the House of Representatives after April McClain Delaney won a closely contested race in Maryland’s Sixth Congressional District.

Twenty races for the 435-seat House of Representatives have not yet been called, with most of the outstanding contests in western states where vote counting is typically slower. At least 14 of those seats are considered competitive, although Democrats would actually have to win them all to block Republican control.

Republicans hold slim leads in several of the tightest uncalled races in Arizona, Colorado and Iowa. In Ohio, Maine and Oregon, Democrats are ahead in close election races. In California, where six close races remain, Republicans are leading in four races.

“Even Democrats admit that Republicans are on track to retain their majority in 2025,” US news site Axios reported.

Trump is sidelining Pompeo and Haley

With a view to unified power, Trump has continued to meet with candidates for future government positions. However, he ruled out bringing back two senior figures from his previous government who were known for their hawkish foreign policy views.

Trump wrote on his social network Truth Social that he would “not invite” former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley to join his team.

Trump has repeatedly boasted that he was able to end the war in Ukraine in his first 24 hours in power and criticized U.S. aid to Kiev in its fight against Russia – a position that differs from Pompeo’s.

“I have greatly appreciated working with you so far and would like to thank you for your service to our country,” Trump wrote of Pompeo and Haley.

Separately, Trump said the 2025 presidential inauguration will be co-chaired by real estate investor and campaign donor Steve Witkoff and former Sen. Kelly Loeffler.

Trump will be sworn in on January 20th, beginning his second non-consecutive term as US president.