Control of the U.S. House and Senate were up in the air early Wednesday, as states across the country tallied votes in neck-and-neck midterm election races.
The close contests will determine whether Democrats keep their slim majorities in the House and Senate, or if Republicans will seize control of one or both chambers of the legislature. Democrats will pick up a pivotal Senate seat in Pennsylvania, as Lt. Gov. John Fetterman will defeat Republican Mehmet Oz, NBC News projected. Critical Senate races in Georgia, Wisconsin, Nevada and Arizona were unresolved early Wednesday, according to NBC.
Meanwhile, NBC News did not project control of the House on Tuesday, and an early NBC estimate suggested Republicans could end up with 220 seats — a narrow majority. Republicans came into Election Day hoping to take commanding control of the chamber.
Election Day 2022Who will control the 118th U.S. Congress?◉ Democratic win◉ Senate seat not on the ballot (D)◉ Republican win◉ Senate seat not on the ballot (R)◉ To be decided
The outcome could make all the difference for President Joe Biden, whose legislative hopes rest on whether Democrats can push his agenda through a hyper-partisan Congress.
Millions of Americans also cast their votes in key races for governor, secretary of state and other offices down the ballot.
Visit NBC News for the latest Governor, Senate and House midterm elections results.
Pelosi says Democratic House candidates are ‘strongly outperforming expectations’
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said her party’s congressional candidates beat expectations, as Republicans appeared on track to win fewer House seats than many thought entering Election Day.
“While many races remain too close to call, it is clear that House Democratic Members and candidates are strongly outperforming expectations across the country,” the California Democrat said.
Pelosi’s party could still lose its narrow majority in the House. But discussion of a Republican rout died down as votes were counted across the country.
While NBC News has not projected House control, an NBC estimate suggests Republicans will hold 220 seats and Democrats will have 215 after the election.
— Jacob Pramuk