WASHINGTON (AP) —Republican leaders projected confidence Thursday that they will keep control of the U.S. House as more races were decided in their favor, while Democrats insisted they still see a path toward the majority and sought assurances every vote will be counted.
The GOP picked up two more hard-fought seats in Pennsylvania, which became a stark battlefield of Democratic losses up and down the ticket. Democrats notched another win in New York, defeating a third Republican incumbent in that state.
Both parties in the House huddled privately on conference calls to assess the political landscape as Congress prepared to return next week to a changed Washington, where a sweep of MAGA-infused GOP power is within reach for President-elect Donald Trump.
Meanwhile, Republican Dave McCormick’s win in Pennsylvania added to his party’s Senate majority and completed their dominance in a state that was crucial to both the presidential and congressional elections.
McCormick unseated Democratic Sen. Bob Casey, giving Republicans their 53rd seat in the Senate.
Close races in Arizona and Nevada have not been called.
The GOP’s rise to a Senate majority for the first time in four years is prompting praise for Sen. Steve Daines, who chairs the Republican campaign arm, and has insisted on getting involved in primary races to help mainstream candidates.
When Trump entered the White House the first time, Republicans held a 51-seat majority and many within the party were willing to resist his plans.
Now, Trump is going back with a healthy Senate majority — at least 53 seats — and a party transformed by his MAGA movement.
A couple of Republican senators are still willing to publicly buck Trump. But there are enough GOP senators to confirm Trump’s Cabinet -- or a possible Supreme Court justice -- even if a few split.
Republican leaders say they want to keep the Senate’s filibuster rules, which require a 60-vote margin for most legislation. But they’re also looking at using a process called budget reconciliation to pass some legislation with a simple majority.
Republican lawmakers want to extend tax cuts from Trump’s first term and fund tougher border enforcement measures.