WASHINGTON (CBS News) — CBS News on Tuesday night projected Democrats would take control of the House of Representatives, delivering a major blow to President Trump and the GOP. Republicans, meanwhile, kept control of the Senate.
Democrats last had a majority in the House in 2010. With their victory on Tuesday, Democrats will take over the leadership of key committees that could launch numerous investigations into the Trump White House. Democrats will also be able to provide a check on the administration's priorities, such as tax cuts and deregulation.
House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi on Tuesday night told Democratic lawmakers and supporters that elections are about the future and "thank you all for making the future better for all of America's children."
Pelosi spoke after Democrats had been projected by many news organizations to regain control of the House.
Pelosi said the election Tuesday was about more than Republicans and Democrats. It was about restoring the Constitution and providing a balance to the Trump administration.
She says the election is also about stopping what she described as the GOP's attacks on entitlement programs and the Affordable Care Act. She says Democrats will find common ground when they can and stand their ground when necessary.
President Donald Trump later called to congratulate Pelosi as her party appeared all but certain to recapture the House of Representatives.
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the president made a series of calls while watching the election results late Tuesday.
Pelosi's spokesman Drew Hammill said Trump called Pelosi to congratulate her and to note her tone of bipartisanship.
Sanders says Trump also called Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell "to congratulate him on historic Senate gains."
Trump also called outgoing House Speaker Paul Ryan and Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Democratic candidates had fundraising advantages in dozens of close contests heading into Election Day. Republicans had hoped that a strong economy and Mr. Trump's ability to turn out base voters would be enough to overcome high levels of enthusiasm among Democratic voters. But in the end Democrats triumphed, ending a brief era of unified Republican government.
The Democratic victory also proves that Republicans are far from invincible under Mr. Trump, a natural showman beloved by the GOP's grassroots but with more limited appeal in the cities and suburbs. Democrats recruited a historic number of women and people of color to run for House seats, and showed that these candidates could win even in traditionally red districts.
Tuesday night's results are a much-needed win for the Democrats, who have struggled in recent midterm elections. Republicans won Congress in 2010 and retook the Senate in 2014. Hillary Clinton's 2016 loss to Mr. Trump, coupled with the GOP's ability to retain control of Congress that year, also stunned the Democratic faithful.
On the Republican side, Paul Ryan's retirement is likely to set off a struggle for minority leader. GOP Reps. Kevin McCarthy, Jim Jordan and Steve Scalise are all potential contenders for the position. Ryan has already endorsed McCarthy to succeed him, but some conservatives have said they would prefer that Jordan lead the conference.
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