( NewsNation) —The Republicans have won control of the U.S. House of Representatives after the party took 218 seats in national elections, NewsNation/Decision Desk HQ called. All 435 House seats were up for reelection leaving the chamber’s balance of power up for grabs. House members are elected to two-year terms.

Keeping the House would give Republicans the power to ram through policies like tax cuts, energy deregulation and border security controls.

After all the races were called, Republicans held a 53-47 advantage that gave them control of the Senate for the first time in four years.

Republicans are getting closer to winning the House, although several races in California and Western states have yet to be called. That could lead to total GOP control of Congress.

All 435 House seats were up for reelection, making it a crucial year for both parties battling for the balance of power.

Contests for Senate majority leader and the suddenly open House Republican conference chair position headline GOP leadership elections on Capitol Hill this week, with open jockeying for both posts. Senate Republican Whip John Thune of South Dakota,

President-elect Donald Trump's Republican Party will control both houses of Congress when he takes office in January, Decision Desk HQ projected on Monday, enabling him to push an agenda of slashing taxes and shrinking the federal government.

Republicans on Saturday were close to clinching control of the U.S. House of Representatives, a critical element for President-elect Donald Trump to advance his agenda when he returns to the White House in January.