Trump's Republican Party to Control Congress

By Richard Cowan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President-elect Donald Trump's Republican Party will control both houses of Congress when he takes office in January, allowing him to push an agenda focused on cutting taxes and reducing the size of the federal government.

According to Edison Research projections, Republicans will have at least the 218 votes required to dominate the 435-seat House of Representatives, with nine races still pending. They have already secured a U.S. Senate majority of at least 52-48, with one race still uncalled after the Nov. 5 election.

During his first term from 2017-2021, Trump's major achievement was passing significant tax cuts set to expire next year. Both that legislation and Democratic President Joe Biden's $1 trillion infrastructure law were enacted when their parties controlled both chambers of Congress.

In contrast, Biden spent the last two years of his term struggling to pass legislation amid a divided government that hampered Congress's basic functions, including federal funding to keep the government operational.

The slim Republican majority in the House has been contentious, having removed its first speaker, Kevin McCarthy, and frequently challenging his successor, Speaker Mike Johnson.

Trump's control over the party, especially among its hardline faction, remains strong, as shown by his earlier success in terminating a bipartisan deal that aimed to enhance border security.

His influence is also reinforced by a Supreme Court featuring a 6-3 conservative majority, with three justices he nominated.

More immediately, the Republicans' triumph will affect the House's post-election "lame duck" session, as the current Congress faces deadlines for government funding to prevent shutdowns during Christmas and for extending borrowing authority to avert a historic debt default.

One scenario could involve passing temporary measures to provide the incoming Trump administration influence over these contentious issues when it takes office on Jan. 20. The new Congress will convene on Jan. 3.