WASHINGTON (AP) — Majority in the U.S. House of Representatives was hanging by a thread Wednesday’s balancing act between Republican control, which might usher in a brand new era of unified GOP rule in Washington, and a turn to Democrats as the last line of resistance to Trump’s agenda for the second term of the White House.

A couple of individual seats and even one is enough determine the result. The final rating will take a while, and the decision will likely be postponed until next week – or later.

After the Republicans she made her way into the majority in the U.S. Senate, taking House Speaker seats in West Virginia, Ohio and Montana Mike Johnson he predicted that his chamber could be next.

“Republicans are ready to unite the government in the White House, the Senate and the House,” Johnson said Wednesday.

President-elect Donald TrumpWho he won the Electoral College and the popular vote against the Democratic vp Kamala Harrishe consolidated the growing power around his MAGA movement, supporting the newcomers to Washington and setting the stage for his own return to the White House.

Johnson said Republicans in Congress are preparing “ambitious” 100-day program with Trump, who he said is “thinking big” about his legacy.

Tax cuts, securing the southern border and passing the torch on federal regulation might be top priorities if the GOP takes the White House and Congress. Trump himself has promised mass deportations and revenge on his perceived enemies. Republicans need to push federal agencies out of Washington and retrain the government workforce with outside consultancies, Johnson said, to “get the federal government in order.”

But Johnson has struggled to manipulate the House after only a 12 months in office, and the latest Congress might be no different. Hardliners led by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Rep. Matt Gaetz and others continuously confronted and overthrew their very own GOP leadership in what was one of the most chaotic sessions in modern times.

If Johnson’s slim four-seat majority were to shrink even further, governing could stall.

Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said the House “remains very much in the game.”

After Democrats defeated two Republicans in the House of Representatives in Jeffries’ home state of New York, he said the path to a majority now lies through pick-up opportunities in Arizona, Oregon, Iowa and California, that are still too early to call. .

“We need to count every vote,” Jeffries said.

The House contests remained a fight to the finish, with no dominant path to a majority for either side. Rarely, if ever, have the two houses of Congress turned in opposite directions.

Each party gains and loses several seats, including through the redistricting process, which is the routine redrawing of the boundaries of seats in the House. The reset process applies to North Carolina, Louisiana and Alabama.

The consequence depends largely on the West, especially in California, where several House seats are hotly contested and mailed ballots per week after the election will still be counted. Among those being watched are tight races around the “blue dot” in Omaha, Nebraska and distant Alaska.

Trump will speak early Wednesday morning at his home election night party in Florida, said the results gave Republicans an “unprecedented and powerful mandate.”

He called the Senate defeat “amazing” and praised Johnson, saying he was “doing a great job.”

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From the U.S. Capitol, Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnella pointy Trump critic in private, he called it a “damn good day.”

Senate Republicans marched across the map with Trump, flipping three Democrat-held seats and staying in the race against Democratic challengers who didn’t unseat Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Sen. Rick Scott of Florida.

In West Virginia Jim Justice, the state’s wealthy governor reversed the position held by retiring senator Joe Manchin. Republicans ousted Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in Ohio along with GOP luxury automobile dealer and blockchain entrepreneur Bernie Moreno. Republican Tim Sheehy defeated Democratic Sen. Jon Tester in Montana.

Democrats avoided total destruction by saving seats in blue wall states. Rep. Elissa Slotkin won an open Senate seat in Michigan, and Sen. Tammy Baldwin was re-elected in Wisconsin. The Pennsylvania race between Democratic Sen. Bob Casey and GOP challenger Dave McCormick was still undecided.

In other developments, Democrats made history by sending two black women to the Senate, Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland. There have only been three Black women in the Senate, including Harris, but never two at the same time.

All in all, Senate Republicans have the potential to win their largest majority in years, and that is proof of that McConnellwho has made a profession of charting a path to power, this time allied with Trump, whom he privately called “despicable” in the run-up to the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol.

During Wednesday’s news conference, McConnell declined to reply questions on his previous harsh criticism of Trump and said he viewed the election results as a referendum on the Biden administration.

He told reporters on Capitol Hill that a Republican-controlled Senate would “control the guardrails” and stop changes to the Senate rules that might end the filibuster.

“People just weren’t happy with this administration, and the Democratic nominee was part of it,” McConnell said.

It’s still unclear who will lead the latest Republican Senate as McConnell prepares to step down.

South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Republican, and Texas Sen. John Cornyn, who previously held the position, are the leading candidates to interchange McConnell in a secret ballot election scheduled for when senators arrive in Washington next week.

Measures to protect access to abortion they passed the test in seven states but failed in three where it was on the ballot on this election, marking a key moment in the ongoing national debate on reproductive rights.

Arizona, Colorado, New York, Maryland, Missouri, Montana and Nevada voted to protect a lady’s right to select. However, the states of Florida, South Dakota and Nebraska have decided to maintain or impose more stringent restrictions on abortion access. The results highlight a growing patchwork of abortion policies, with some states expanding access while others seek to limit or outright limit it.

This wave of ballot initiatives follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which ended federal abortion protections and left regulation up to individual states. In response, abortion rights advocates are increasingly turning to ballot initiatives, allowing voters to have a direct say on the issue and bypass legislative hurdles. This approach reflects a shift toward grassroots efforts to secure or restore access to abortion in an evolving and polarized legal landscape.

Here’s how voters took the reins on this critical issue while it was on the page voting in 10 states.

New York

New York voters expressed strong support for measures to protect abortion access by approving amendments to the state structure. One such means Proposal 1appeared on the ballot without directly mentioning abortion, however it effectively secured the right to abortion. Abortion stays legal in New York until the twenty fourth week of pregnancy.

Arizona

In Arizona, voters passed a bill that might repeal the state’s current ban on abortion after the fifteenth week of pregnancy. The move significantly expands reproductive rights, marking a fundamental shift in the abortion landscape in the state. The measure, a victory for abortion rights supporters in the presidential battleground state, establishes a “fundamental right” to abortion in the Arizona structure. It prohibits the state from restricting or prohibiting abortion before fetal viability, normally around 24 weeks of pregnancy. Until now, Arizona law prohibited abortion after the fifteenth week of pregnancy.

Colorado

Colorado voters approved a move to strengthen existing abortion rights, continuing the state’s history of supporting reproductive access. Because abortion is already legal to the point where it is possible, the amendment secures existing protections and strengthens Colorado’s position on reproductive rights. Moreover, this solution repeals the constitutional provision that previously prohibited public financing of abortion. Colorado stays without restrictions on access to abortion while pregnant.

Maryland

Maryland voters approved a constitutional amendment protecting access to abortion and affirming the right to reproductive freedom. The solution preserves existing abortion rights, including the ability to make decisions about pregnancy, and embeds these protections in the state structure. Maryland has no restrictions on abortion while pregnant, strengthening reproductive rights in the state.

Montana

Montana voters approved a measure protecting abortion access, strengthening the state’s existing reproductive rights. The amendment guarantees the right to make decisions regarding pregnancy, including abortion, up to the viability of the fetus and beyond, so as to protect the life or health of the patient. Abortion has been legal in Montana since a 1999 state Supreme Court ruling.

Nevada

Nevada voters passed a measure protecting abortion rights, ensuring the state’s legal framework continues to support reproductive access. The amendment to the Nevada state structure guarantees the right to abortion until the viability of the fetus and thereafter when it’s essential to protect the health or lifetime of the patient. Although the amendment has already been approved, it can require voter approval again in 2026 to fully amend the state structure.

Missouri

Missouri voters overturned the state’s nearly complete ban on abortion, significantly expanding access to abortion. Abortion is currently banned in Missouri, with no exceptions for rape and incest. The newly approved amendment is a fundamental change in state policy that is predicted to significantly expand access to abortion services.

Florida

Florida voters rejected a measure to enshrine abortion rights in the state structure, a setback for supporters who want to restore broader access. The proposal, which might allow abortion until viability, received 57% of the vote but fell wanting the 60% threshold required for approval. Florida currently bans most abortions after six weeks. The defeat ends a string of victories for abortion rights groups in state elections since the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision that overturned Roe v. Wade.

South Dakota

South Dakota voters rejected an initiative that might have legalized abortion with provisions applicable during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. As a result, the almost complete ban on abortion, which allows for exceptions only to save the lifetime of the mother, will remain in force. The proposal, which included exceptions for rape and incest, was narrowly defeated, reflecting the divided and sophisticated position of voters.

Nebraska

Nebraska voters faced two competing votes on abortion. One, which was not adopted, sought to guarantee the right to abortion up to the viability of the fetus. The second, which passed, upheld the state’s 12-week abortion ban, allowing exceptions for sexual assault, incest and medical emergencies. If each solutions were adopted, the one which received the most votes would change into effective. Nebraska law currently allows abortions up to 12 weeks.

The results mark the end of a winning streak for abortion rights supporters, underscoring that reproductive health stays a key issue for voters. According to Press Associationin a survey of greater than 110,000 voters nationwide, a few quarter of respondents said abortion policy was the most significant think about their vote, while almost half considered it essential but not the most significant factor. Just over 1 in 10 people said it was a secondary factor.

Black firefighters in southwest England, who have suffered a long time of racist treatment, intimidation and hostility from their colleagues, received an apology from the fire chief this week following the publication of a shocking report into long-standing and systemic racism in the fire service.

An independent inquiry into allegations of racism at Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, which began in 2023 and included interviews with 40 current and former staff, found clear patterns of institutional racism throughout the organization between 1991 and 2018. – reported the International Fire and Safety Journal.

This included cases where black firefighters found themselves in unsafe situations by other firefighters who also exposed them to racial harassment, racial slurs, and swastikas.

Among those notoriously abused was Avanos Biney, a black firefighter who served from 1998 to 2001 and who took his own life in 2017 at the age of 49.

The report found that Biney was considered competent and trustworthy by his superiors, who gave him high rankings and praise for his performances. However, his colleagues often made racist remarks in his presence and denigrated him and other black firefighters.

Another firefighter was handed an “equal opportunity” document and his response to Avanos was, “What a f***ing waste of time.”

The report also states that after the volleyball game, Biney discovered the N-word on his shirt and swastikas were placed in his belongings.

He was isolated and bullied, and his friends alternately ignored or looked at him. His food was tampered with, itching powder was placed in his utensils and bed, and glass was placed in his shoes.

The report found that Biney was also exposed to dangerous situations arranged by co-workers. On one occasion, when Biney was sent to a fully prolonged platform ladder that was not securely secured, other firefighters manipulated the ladder in order that it rocked and rotated, causing him distress.

Biney recorded the complete incident and said, “As you may see, that is their way of getting fun: rocking me back and forth. I’ve been here for about 10 minutes. This becomes quite boring and makes me feel somewhat sick.

Despite complaints to management and Fire Brigades Associationno motion was taken against those involved. Biney’s subsequent tribunal application alleging racial discrimination and victimization in 2002 was dismissed since it was submitted out of time.

Biney resigned and later worked for one more fire and rescue service in Jersey. He committed suicide in 2017 at the age of 49.

His family, who remember him as outgoing, generous, funny and selfless, demanded recognition of the institutionalized racism and other inappropriate behavior that contributed to his negative experiences at Gloucestershire Fire Service.

Biney’s nephew, Curtis Biney, who lived with him at the time of the violence while Avanos was employed by GFRS, he told the BBC“He was a victim of bullying and isolated from everyone else. People were doing things to his locker, people were saying things in front of him. Various things were said about him. In short, it all came down to a group of people who believed they could do these things without any reproach.”

Due to the shortage of accountability amongst top management, “this cannot be prevented,” he said. “You deal with it yourself, you stand up, go to work, do your thing and stay silent. It’s terrible.”

Curtis Biney said the investigation and report were “long overdue.”

An independent review by West Midlands Employers found that GFRS was institutionally racist between 1991 and 2018, however the service is no longer institutionally racist as a results of reforms implemented over the previous couple of years.

In addition to systemic racism and shocking incidents of racial discrimination over time, organizational failings identified in the report include leadership that prioritized operational competence over people management and social inclusion, a lack of psychological safety when raising concerns about inconsistent and ineffective grievance processes, and widespread historical misogyny , reported on Gloucestershire Live.

Fire Chief Mark Preece apologized on behalf of GFRS, saying he accepted the findings and committed to continuing to remodel the service.

“I want to apologize to our firefighters and past and present employees who have been victims of or witnessed terrible acts of discrimination, were made aware of wrongdoing, and tried to support the victims as best they could with little or no support,” he said.

“I fully accept the finding that the Service was institutionally racist between 1991 and 2018, which, combined with the lack of action by those leading GFRS during that time, made the lives of our black and minority ethnic firefighters unbearable. … I am not saying that racism, misogyny and bullying have been eradicated. There is still a lot to do.”

About Biney and other black and ethnic minority firefighters who have experienced discrimination, Preece said:

“I want to make it clear that they were not troublemakers, they were just trailblazers. The courage of those individuals and family members who have spoken out, past and present, is breaking down barriers and challenging ignorant, long-held views and stereotypes. Their commitment to making change for good must be recognized, and the legacy of anyone who relives trauma must be lasting and significant.”

According to the International Fire and Safety Journal, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said it will call for increased government motion and called for the establishment of a statutory advisory body to watch skilled standards across all fire and rescue services.

Describing the report as exposing “decades of appalling institutional racism”, Ben Selby, deputy secretary general of the FBU, accused fire service management of overlooking complaints and failing to guard black firefighters. He called on the service to “confront its history and take action to eradicate racism in all forms.”

Former GFRS fire chief Jon Hall told the BBC that he mentioned the concerns of black firefighters in 2013 when, after meeting with them, he discovered that no black firefighters had ever been promoted beyond their entry-level rank in the service. However, it took one other decade to resolve these systemic problems.

“This damning report underscores the scale of the problem, and fire commanders have had their heads in the sand for decades,” said Val Hampshire, FBU Southwest executive board member. She said collaboration between the fire service and the FBU is vital to achieving lasting impact in the fight against each racism and misogyny.

GFRS was covered by special measures regarding its performance and failure to handle diversity issues and promote a positive workplace culture in July 2022. In August 2023, the service announced that it had launched a latest workplace charter setting out the behavior, ethics and values ​​of the service. It also committed to an independent review, reported the BBC.

These announcements followed independent report in 2022, which deemed the London Fire Brigade “institutionally misogynistic and racist” and report of the Inspectorate of Police and His Majesty’s Fire and Rescue Service in March 2023, which found “bullying, harassment and discrimination” across all fire and rescue services in England.