By Eliza Collins
WASHINGTON -- Republicans won a majority of seats in the House of Representatives, the Associated Press said, bolstering their ability to steer the agenda on Capitol Hill after two years of Democratic control of both chambers of Congress and the White House.
Rep. Mike Garcia won re-election in California's 27th District, putting the total seats at 218 for Republicans and 210 for Democrats. Republicans had been stuck at 217 since Monday, with several races still uncalled, mostly in California.
The shift in control of the House will make it nearly impossible for President Biden to move an ambitious agenda through Congress, while also potentially complicating negotiations on such matters as the debt ceiling and funding the government. Republicans are also expected to use control over House committees to launch investigations into his administration and family.
The Republicans had been on the verge of victory since Monday, when several wins got them within one seat of the majority. On Tuesday, the four races that were called by the AP all went to Democrats: Yadira Caraveo in Colorado and Reps. Josh Harder, Ami Bera and Jim Costa in California.
Days earlier, the Democrats retained control of the Senate with a win in a hard-fought Nevada race. A runoff in Georgia set for Dec. 6 is the final test of whether Republicans can pick off any Democratic Senate incumbents, though it will not change control of the chamber. Democrats so far this year have held every Senate seat they were defending and won a GOP-held seat in Pennsylvania.
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