Republicans take House in U.S. midterm elections

In the United States, the Republican Party seized control of the House of Representatives, scoring the chamber's biggest party turnover in more than 70 years. The Republicans also gained at least 6 seats in the Senate, although the Democratic Party still holds the majority.

“The message that was sent was [US President] Barack Obama and his current legislative record does not have a mandate from the American people,” says Kathryn Jean Lopez, editor-at-large of National Review Online.

She says Republicans still have to prove to the people they can handle power responsibly.

“Republicans are not necessarily breaking out the champagne or celebrating,” she told Vatican Radio. “They’ve been here before. During the Clinton years, they got the majority…and they messed up…They know if they mess up again, the American people won’t be all that merciful.”

Listen to Kathryn Jean Lopez's full interview with Charles Collins: