Donald Trump's Republicans are at a slight disadvantage in the battle for a majority in the US House of Representatives. The advance for Republicans was evident as the vote count was in its final stages on Friday (Nov. 8). Meanwhile, Democrats picked up two seats in New York. Which brought them little success. British news agency Reuters reported this news.
Republicans have secured at least 211 seats in the 435-member House of Representatives, according to Edison Research forecasts. They still need 7 seats for majority. The results of the remaining 24 seats are yet to be declared. Full control of the House by Republicans would give Trump more leeway to implement his policies. These include massive tax breaks, deregulation of the energy sector and border security. On the other hand, if the Democrats want to win the majority. However, they have to win 18 of the remaining 24 seats.
Democrats' hopes of control of the House hinge on California and parts of New York. They have already flipped two Republican seats there. Democrat Laura Gillen defeated Republican U.S. Rep. Anthony Deposito in New York City's Long Island suburbs. Similarly, Democrat Josh Riley defeated Republican US Representative Mark Molinaro in the Catskills region of New York.
Meanwhile, in Nebraska, moderate Republican Rep. Don Bacon defeated Democrat Tony Vargas in the liberal seat of Omaha. Which proves that some Republican leaders are still up to the challenge.
Republicans' majority in the House will help Trump appoint his nominees to Cabinet, judges and other key positions. However, they will not have the 60 votes needed to pass the legislation quickly. On the other hand, keeping the Senate under control would give the Trump administration more freedom on certain policies.
The two contested Senate seats are one in Nevada and the other in Arizona. In Nevada, incumbent Democrat Senator Jackie Rosen leads Republican challenger Sam Brown by 1.3 percentage points after 96 percent of the vote has been counted. On the other hand, in Arizona, Democrat Ruben Gallego leads Republican Kerry Lake by 1.7 percentage points. There, 74 percent counting of votes has been completed.
