Republicans entered Tuesday hoping to clinch both chambers. Two days later, control of the Senate remains unclear and it appears the GOP is headed for a slimmer-than-expected House majority.
President Biden told reporters Wednesday that Democrats "lost fewer seats in the House of Representatives than any Democratic president's first midterm election in the last 40 years."
Yet even a small majority in one chamber would enable Republicans to block large chunks of Biden's agenda while launching probes into the administration.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (La.) emphasized how the GOP gaining subpoena power would drive investigations around Capitol Hill starting in early 2023.
"Committees will once again be charged with drafting and marking up bills, while Members will be empowered with more information and more opportunities to have their say in the legislative process," McCarthy said in a letter on his Speaker bid.
"And we will devote the resources necessary for this House to go toe-to-toe with the Executive branch, especially as it pertains to oversight and holding the Biden administration accountable for its mismanagement of our country," he continued.
Scalise said in a letter announcing his run for majority leader that Republicans "must be relentless in our oversight of this Administration," adding, "From the politicization of the Justice Department to the job crushing regulations coming from every agency, we need to shine a bright light on the actions and policy failures of this administration."
Some key figures in investigations will likely be GOP Reps. James Comer (Ky.), Jim Jordan (Ohio) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Wash.), who are poised to become committee chairs.
Comer is the ranking Republican on the House Oversight and Reform Committee. As Government Executive wrote, "Comer said he and his members have been working for months to gather information 'to really come out of the gate strong in three major areas of investigations.' These are: the origins of COVID-19; the 'disaster' at the U.S.-Mexico border; and alleged 'influence peddling' by Hunter Biden, the president's son, as well as Jim Biden, the president's brother."
Our colleague Emily Brooks has more on potential House GOP probes into Hunter Biden's business dealings here.
Jordan, ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, told Fox News' Martha MacCallum on Oct. 31 about what his priorities would be as committee chair: "You cannot have a political Justice Department and also have a free society, a free country, so that is the most important thing." Jordan indicated he also wants to look into the FBI.
Rodgers is the ranking Republican on the Energy & Commerce Committee. As our colleague Nathaniel Weixel wrote, "Rodgers and other GOP lawmakers have said they want to prioritize an investigation into the origins of the coronavirus, as well as the administration's policies in response to the virus, like school closures." Additionally, "Republicans in both chambers are also eager to launch investigations into Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases who is set to retire from government this year."
CNN's Jake Tapper on Wednesday asked White House chief of staff Ron Klain if he was ready for investigations. Klain said, "[W]e're always ready for fair and legitimate oversight." Tapper said that wasn't what he was asking about, and Klain said, "I understand. What I am saying, though, Jake, is if that's what it is, we're ready for it."
Related: Corporate America is bracing for congressional gridlock, GOP probes in 2023, The Hill's Karl Evers-Hillstrom writes.
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