US election: Forecasts: House of Representatives remains with Republicans

According to forecasts, the Republicans defended their majority in the House of Representatives in the congressional elections in the USA. The broadcasters NBC and CNN reported this based on voter surveys and vote counts. The AP news agency has not yet reported a winner of the majority in the congressional chamber.

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.