**Republicans Secure Full Control of Washington, D.C.**

Republicans have successfully achieved a complete dominance in Washington, D.C., after winning key U.S. House races and ensuring a narrow majority in the House and a three-seat lead in the Senate. This recent development assures President-elect Donald Trump strong legislative support to advance his agenda.

The battle for the House involved a tightly contested landscape of around three dozen competitive districts. Unlike the presidential campaign, which centered on seven pivotal states in the Midwest and the Sun Belt, the quest for House control focused on crucial swing districts, particularly in the blue states of New York and California.

With this newfound power, Republicans readily plan to pursue significant goals, including an extension of the tax cuts laid down by Trump in 2017. The agenda also prominently features bolstering border security and other key policies set forth by the President-elect.

This announcement came shortly after House Republicans elected Speaker Mike Johnson from Louisiana for his initial full term in the role. Johnson, however, needs to secure 218 votes on the House floor by January 3, 2025, for his official appointment. Given the expected slim majority, Johnson will need nearly unanimous GOP support to retain his position.

Johnson had been chosen as the House leader just over a year ago following the ousting of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy by fellow Republicans. Alongside Johnson, Sen. John Thune from South Dakota has been elected to steer the 53-47 Republican majority in the Senate next year, succeeding Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who decided to step down from party leadership after nearly two decades.

Thune expressed a commitment to advancing Trump's policies and emphasized unity within the Republican ranks. "This Republican team is united. We are one team, we are excited to reclaim the majority and get to work with our colleagues in the House to enact President Trump's agenda," Thune stated. He highlighted their mandate as an opportunity to rectify the perceived issues from the Biden-Harris-Schumer administration and fulfill Trump’s priorities.