Republicans take majority in U.S. House, ensuring divided government

Balance of power in Congress shifts, but Democrats still control Senate

20221117 U.S. Republicans House Kevin McCarthy

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) on Nov. 15 speaks to reporters after being nominated to continue on in that role, which makes him House speaker now that the party has won control of the chamber. © Reuters

Nikkei staff writers

November 17, 2022 08:46 JST

Updated on November 17, 2022 12:49 JST

NEW YORK -- Republicans took control of the U.S. House of Representatives in the wake of the Nov. 8 midterm congressional elections, but with only a slim majority falling short of the party's hoped-for "red wave."

As of 6:40 p.m. New York time on Wednesday, The Associated Press had called 218 House seats for Republicans, with President Joe Biden's Democratic Party taking 210. CNN projected 218 seats for the Republicans and 208 for the Democrats. The Democrats had gone into the election with a narrow majority in the 435-seat chamber.