Republicans win majority of seats in U.S. House, CBS News projects
Washington — Republicans will win a majority of seats in the House of Representatives, flipping control of the lower chamber from the Democrats, but by a narrower margin than many expected heading into the midterm elections, according to CBS News projections.
The GOP is now projected to win between 218-223 seats, a narrow majority. Republicans needed 218 to claim the House majority. Ballots are still being counted in a handful of close races.
Though the projections indicate Republicans will prevail, their slim majority is likely to complicate House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy's bid to become House speaker and provide leverage to the conservative faction of the GOP conference. He acknowledged in a letter to Republican colleagues the pressures that come with their new"I trust you know that earning the majority is only the beginning," he wrote. "Now, we will be measured by what we do with our majority."
In the House GOP leadership elections Tuesday, McCarthy easily defeated Freedom Caucus challenger Rep. Andy Biggs, winning 188 votes to become the party's nominee for speaker. But to win the gavel, McCarthy will need 218 votes on the House floor.
