US House control is Democrats’ best hope after losing the Senate

The Democrats hope for a strong control Donald Trump control of the US House is fading, with Republicans increasingly confident they will retain overall control in Washington ahead of next year’s big battles over tax cuts and spending.

Democrats need a net gain of just four House seats to wrest the slim majority from Republicans, but GOP gains in races in Pennsylvania, Michigan and North Carolina have offset losses in New York, putting the party ahead in its bid to retain control over the chamber.