House of Representatives

As expected, the Democrats have increased the majority in the federal House of Representatives, that they originally won in 2006. The various networks currently show the Democrats with between 248 and 258 House seats, up from the current 235.

Any number that is 218 or greater makes them the majority party, with all of the committee chairmanships and control of the floor agenda by virtue of holding the offices of speaker and majority leader.

But Democrats who win districts that had formerly elected Republicans, can become vulnerable when they come up for reelection, if they stray too far left of center. The same effect has worked in the other direction when Republicans have gained House seats, e.g., in 1994. Therefore, it will be interesting to see whether Speaker Pelosi and the rest of the Democratic leadership are able to hold enough of their caucus together to prevail on votes on taxes, appropriations, labor law, etc.