Republicans won control of the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday and then pledged to work with the other side of the aisle in solving the nation's problems, acknowledging their majority will be razor-thin.
The non-partisan service Decision Desk HQ was the first outlet to call the House race for the Republicans, declaring that the GOP will have at least 218 seats in the 435-seat chamber. Mainstream media organizations had yet to make a call on House control.
The Decision Desk HQ call was made exactly one week after Election Day.
Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) held a Tuesday evening news conference, saying, "the era of one-party Democrat rule in Washington is over."
Republicans won't officially take control until January.
"Washington now has a check and balance, the American people have a say in their government, and this new Republican leadership team is ready to get to work to put America back on the right track," he said. "It was our commitment to America that we create an economy that is strong, a nation that is safe, a future that is built on freedom, and a government that is accountable. And that's exactly what we'll do."
The GOP's margin in the House could be fewer than five seats, making it difficult to balance the desires of its members.
The House GOP on Tuesday nominated McCarthy as its choice for Speaker.
"We've got a close majority. We're gonna have to work together," McCarthy said before pivoting to Democrats. "We want to work with anyone who wants to make America stronger. We want to work with anyone on both sides of the aisle if they want to make America energy-independent, give their parents a say in their kids' education, secure our borders, or stop defunding the police.
"… We are prepared to lead regardless of the size of the majority."
Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Narrarorro
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
