US Republicans defend majority in the House of Representatives

In the US congressional elections, the Republican Party of future President Donald Trump defended its majority in the House of Representatives. This was reported by several US media outlets based on voter surveys and initial vote counts, as well as the opinion research institute Edison Research on Wednesday. Accordingly, the Republicans won at least 218 seats in the Congressional Chamber and thus the majority. Nine races are still open.

The Congress, which consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate and is based in the Capitol in Washington, is responsible for legislation, is in charge of the budget and controls the executive branch. The Republicans have already secured the majority in the other chamber, the Senate. This means they control the presidential office and the entire Congress, at least until the midterm elections in two years.

This gives US President-elect Donald Trump a strong power base in Congress, which gives him a lot of room for maneuver politically. On election night, the Republicans had already secured control of the Senate, where the Democrats currently have a razor-thin majority.

With the majority in both chambers of Congress, Trump has an easier time getting key legislative proposals through Parliament from January without major resistance from the Democrats. The confirmation of government officials and judges is also likely to occur more quickly, making it much easier to implement his political agenda. This means that an important barrier against authoritarian tendencies that are feared in another Trump term is missing.

A possible influence in this context is the handbook of the right-wing conservative think tank Heritage Foundation, known as “Project 2025”. This manifesto outlines radical changes for the term of office of a conservative president and serves as a template for comprehensive social and economic upheavals. The handbook contains detailed instructions on how control over federal authorities could be strengthened and political loyalists could be installed in key positions.

Although Trump has officially distanced himself from the document, there are numerous parallels to his political plans. This also includes tax cuts, mass deportations and, in general, the dismantling of reforms of the previous government, for example on climate protection. Restricting reproductive rights could also be on the agenda, with Trump having made contradictory statements about a nationwide abortion ban.

The elections for the composition of the House of Representatives took place at the same time as the presidential and Senate elections. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives were re-elected; In the Senate, 34 of the 100 seats were up for vote.