Sun Nov 10 16:34:31 UTC 2024: ## Republicans Edge Closer to House Majority, Trump Prepares for Second Term
Republicans are on the cusp of securing a majority in the US House of Representatives, with Rep. Eli Crane’s re-election in Arizona’s second district bringing their total to 213 seats. Twenty races remain uncalled, but even Democrats concede that Republicans are likely to retain control.
With Donald Trump’s victory in the November 5 presidential election and the Republicans holding the Senate, a House majority would give the party a powerful mandate to push through their agenda, including tax and spending cuts, energy deregulation, and tighter border security. Democrats currently hold 202 seats.
Despite eyeing unified power, Trump has ruled out bringing back former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley to his administration. While expressing gratitude for their service, Trump cited their hawkish foreign policy views, which he sees as diverging from his own stance on the Ukraine war.
In other news, Trump has announced that real estate investor Steve Witkoff and former Senator Kelly Loeffler will co-chair his inauguration on January 20, marking the beginning of his second, non-consecutive term as president.
The outcome of the remaining House races will determine the extent of Republican control and their ability to pass legislation. While Democrats would need to win all the outstanding races to block Republican dominance, Republicans hold a narrow lead in several tight contests.
First Piper 