[1/2] House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) speaks during a news conference about the House Republicans "Commitment to America" outside the United States Capitol building in Washington, D.C., U.S., September 29, 2022.
REUTERS/Evelyn HocksteinWASHINGTON, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Republicans on Tuesday were closing in on majority control of the U.S. House of Representatives, a midterm victory tempered by the unexpectedly narrow margin they will hold over Democrats as they usher in two years of divided government.
Republicans so far have won 215 seats in the 435-member chamber, Edison Research projected, with 218 needed for a majority.
The anticipated House victory for Republicans will be far short of the "red wave" they had predicted for the Nov. 8 midterm elections, and some in the party have blamed Trump for the disappointing showing.
As House speaker, McCarthy would be second in line of succession for the presidency after the vice president when Congress convenes in January.