A high-stakes battle for control in Congress continues as three uncalled House races keep Republican leaders on edge about their slim majority's final numbers.

According to Fox News, Republicans currently hold 219 seats to Democrats' 213 in the House of Representatives, with three closely contested races in California and Iowa still hanging in the balance as vote counting extends into its fourth week.

The political landscape shifted significantly last week when Democratic incumbent Rep. Marcy Kaptur secured Ohio's 9th Congressional District, while Republican entrepreneur Nick Begich flipped Alaska's at-large district red by defeating Democratic incumbent Rep. Mary Sattler Peltola.

These results have set the stage for an intense focus on the remaining undecided races that will determine the final composition of the Republican majority under House Speaker Mike Johnson's leadership.

California Districts Show Democratic Momentum in Late Counts

In California's 13th Congressional District, a dramatic turn of events has unfolded as Democratic challenger Adam Gray has overtaken incumbent Republican Rep. John Duarte.

The race remains remarkably close, with Gray leading by just 182 votes out of more than 208,000 cast. Current vote totals show Gray with 104,503 votes compared to Duarte's 104,321, representing a razor-thin margin of 50.04% to 49.96% with 98.99% of votes counted.

The 45th Congressional District in California presents another nail-biting contest where Democratic challenger Derek Tran has pulled ahead of Republican incumbent Rep. Michelle Steel. Tran's lead stands at 613 votes, with vote totals showing 157,960 for Tran and 157,347 for Steel as of Wednesday morning, with 99% of votes counted.

Democratic challenger Derek Tran expressed his optimism about the race's direction, addressing his supporters with a forward-looking message:

From the need for affordable healthcare and housing to the importance of an economy that includes everyone, people here are looking to the future with hope and determination. I look forward to representing that optimism and working tirelessly to ensure that our communities' voices are heard in Washington.

Iowa's First District Sparks Recount Controversy

The battle for Iowa's 1st Congressional District has triggered a contentious recount process, with Republican incumbent Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks maintaining a precarious lead of 800 votes over challenger Christina Bohannan.

The current tally shows Miller-Meeks with 206,956 votes to Bohannan's 206,156, a mere 0.1% difference with 99% of votes counted.

House Administration Committee election observers have deployed to Iowa to monitor the recount proceedings, which are currently underway across the district's 20 counties. Some counties have completed their recounts while others continue the process, adding another layer of scrutiny to this closely watched race.

Miller-Meeks has publicly criticized the recount as wasteful spending of taxpayer money, though she maintains confidence in her lead position. The ongoing process has drawn national attention as it represents one of the final pieces in determining the exact size of the Republican majority in the House.

Political Implications of Narrow House Control

The slim Republican majority presents both opportunities and challenges for House Speaker Mike Johnson's leadership. With current numbers showing Republicans holding 219 seats, every vote becomes crucial for passing legislation and maintaining party unity on key issues.

Recent developments in these races could potentially impact the working majority's effectiveness in the House. The narrow margin means that just a few absences or defections could affect the outcome of important votes, requiring careful coalition-building and strategic planning from Republican leadership.

These close races also highlight the increasingly competitive nature of congressional districts across the country. The fact that multiple races remain undecided weeks after Election Day demonstrates the evolution of voting patterns and the impact of mail-in ballots on modern electoral processes.

Final Congressional Countdown Approaches Resolution

Three crucial House races remain undecided as vote counting continues in California and Iowa, with Democrats showing momentum in late returns that could potentially narrow the Republican majority even further.

These contests, separated by mere hundreds of votes, demonstrate the extraordinary competitiveness of modern congressional elections.

The outcome of these races will determine the final balance of power in the House of Representatives, where Republicans currently hold 219 seats to Democrats' 213. With recounts ongoing and legal observers monitoring the process, the nation awaits final results that will shape the legislative landscape under Speaker Mike Johnson's leadership.