The House of Representatives is up for grabs Tuesday as Democrats try to wrest control from Republicans, who have enjoyed power in the chamber for the past four years but are facing formidable political headwinds.The outcome will set the tone and sway the direction of the final two years of President Donald Trump’s tenure in the White House, with Democrats vowing to aggressively investigate his administration if they win control of the House.
And while Republicans were able to advance signature Trump priorities on party-line votes over the last two years, Democrats would have a say in any major congressional action if the House flips.Democrats must flip a net of three seats to win the 218 needed for a majority.Republicans attempted to give themselves some cushion by redrawing congressional maps around the country over the past year and a half.
Follow live election coverage here.But historical trends are working against them, as the president’s party typically loses seats in a midterm year.And polls leading up to Election Day showed deep voter dissatisfaction with Trump overall and across a range of issues, most notably his handling of the economy and the cost of living amid the Iran war and the administration’s tariff agenda.
While House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who could become the first Black speaker if Democrats win control of the chamber, has tried to tamp down expectations of a blue wave, he has predicted his party will emerge from the election with a majority.“I also refer to Nov.
3 not simply as Election Day, but as judgment day,” Jeffries said at a weekend campaign rally for former Rep.Elaine Luria, who is trying to win back her old seat from GOP Rep.
Jen Kiggans in Virginia.“The American people are going to judge these MAGA extremists and run them out of town for what they’ve done to our economy, to our military, to our families, our farmers and to the American people all across the country.”Still, Democrats have had to navig...