**House Races Still Undecided as Pennsylvania Senate Contest Moves to Recount**

A number of unresolved House races hung in the balance on Capitol Hill, with nine congressional seats yet to be called. The Pennsylvania Senate race is heading for a recount, adding to the suspense of the political climate.

On Wednesday, House Republicans selected their leadership team for the upcoming Congress and solidified their majority with the Associated Press calling the re-election of Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.). Despite this, the exact size of their slim majority remains uncertain, influenced by potential departures of three GOP members appointed to roles in the Trump administration.

In specific races, California's 45th District sees Democrat Derek Tran closing in on incumbent Rep. Michelle Steel (R), narrowing the gap to just 349 votes. Alaska’s at-large seat finds GOP challenger Nick Begich ahead by over 9,300 votes against incumbent Rep. Mary Peltola (D). However, without achieving a majority, this race could extend to a ranked-choice voting procedure set for November 20.

Meanwhile, California’s 13th District, with an estimated quarter of the ballots still uncounted, has incumbent Rep. John Duarte (R) leading Democrat Adam Gray by more than 3,700 votes. In California’s 21st and 9th Districts, Democratic Reps. Jim Costa and Josh Harder are expanding their leads, with Costa ahead by over 5,100 votes and Harder by nearly 6,900 votes.

In Iowa’s 1st District, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R) is ahead by more than 700 votes, but Democrat Christina Bohannan has announced she will seek a recount.

The Associated Press also called three races on Wednesday, confirming the elections of Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), Rep.-elect Dave Min (D-Calif.), and Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.).

In the Pennsylvania Senate race, the tight contest between Sen. Bob Casey (D) and Sen.-elect David McCormick (R) is headed towards a statewide recount, triggered by the narrow margin. McCormick’s lead of over 26,000 votes makes it challenging for Casey to overturn the result. Recounts in Pennsylvania must begin by November 20 and be completed by November 26, according to the state’s Secretary of State.

Adding another layer of intrigue to Washington, D.C., Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is seeking "super high-IQ small-government revolutionaries" to work voluntarily on cost-cutting projects, reminiscent of Musk's earlier call for extreme dedication at his companies. Former President Donald Trump has announced that Musk and former GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will spearhead DOGE, continuing their active support for Trump during his campaign.

Finally, Michael Anton and Sebastian Gorka are reportedly in the running to become President-elect Donald Trump's deputy national security adviser, contributing to the evolving political landscape in the nation's capital.