EGN NEWS DESK
In yet one more blow to Democrats, Donald Trump will start his presidency with a trifecta of Republican management in Washington. The GOP not solely regained management of the White House and the Senate but additionally managed to carry onto a slim majority within the House, the Associated Press known as late Wednesday, greater than per week after voters headed to the polls.
The victory within the House could have important ramifications for the beginning of Trump’s second time period, permitting the President-elect and his allies to push ahead with their full legislative agenda now that each chambers of Congress are underneath Republican management till no less than 2026. While their priorities are nonetheless being outlined, Republicans shall be positioned to verify Trump’s appointees, cross tax reform, fund border safety, overhaul the Affordable Care Act, and legislate different elements of their agenda.
Read More: What Donald Trump’s Win Means for the Economy
Republicans have been in a position to keep management of the House due to wins in key battleground races the place they defended susceptible seats and expanded their attain in Democratic-held districts. In Pennsylvania, Republicans flipped two aggressive seats regardless of a tricky marketing campaign from Democrats searching for to capitalize on high-profile points reminiscent of reproductive rights. Republicans additionally flipped a aggressive seat in Colorado and an open seat in Michigan, the latter after Democratic incumbent Rep. Elissa Slotkin ran within the state’s Senate race, which she received. In Arizona, Iowa, and Nebraska—which had a few of the best 2024 House races—GOP incumbents seem to have fended off sturdy challenges from Democrats. And Republicans look to buffer their margin in California, the place votes proceed to be counted in a number of shut races, whereas the GOP may flip one other seat in Alaska, the place the ranked-choice race for the state’s solely congressional district stays too early to name.
While Republicans are celebrating their victory, the party’s razor-thin majority—even thinner after a number of members vacate their seats to affix the Trump administration—and inner divisions may create challenges within the years forward. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who was with Trump on Election Night and ascended to the function after a tumultuous management battle final 12 months, faces the troublesome activity of unifying the caucus because it prepares to sort out main legislative points. One of the GOP’s most urgent issues would be the potential for political gridlock if the party’s far-right members conflict with moderates on key items of laws, notably on points like authorities spending.
But now that Republicans management the White House, Senate, and House of Representatives, they’ve a historic alternative to reshape key points of U.S. coverage. Republican leaders will push for extra tax cuts, notably for companies and high-income earners, constructing on the tax cuts handed throughout Trump’s first time period and making them everlasting. One of Trump’s signature points, immigration reform, can also be anticipated to take middle stage. Republicans are more likely to search extra funding for border safety and enforcement measures, together with the development of a border wall and tighter restrictions on immigration.
Read More: What Donald Trump’s Win Means For Immigration
In March, Johnson mentioned House Republicans would pursue “aggressive” and “radical adjustments” within the first 100 days of a Republican trifecta. He mentioned on Oct. 28 that there can be “huge” well being care adjustments in America. “Health care reform’s going to be a giant a part of the agenda. When I say we’re going to have a really aggressive first 100 days agenda, we bought plenty of issues nonetheless on the desk,” he mentioned.
Republicans may push to repeal or overhaul the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a central marketing campaign promise for Trump and the GOP, probably changing it with a extra market-driven system. Republicans may additionally press ahead with conservative social insurance policies, together with measures limiting abortion entry and enhancing non secular freedom protections—establishing a conflict with Democrats within the coming months. (Trump has recently mentioned that abortion coverage needs to be set by the states.)
Still, the street forward is not going to be clean. Even with a Republican trifecta, the GOP will face intense scrutiny, notably from Democrats and progressive teams, who will proceed to struggle for his or her insurance policies within the courts, the Senate, and in state legislatures.
