US House flip puts scrutiny on Trump agenda: Update

Adds details throughout.

President Donald Trump says he hopes for a return of bipartisanship after losing control of the US House of Representatives, as Democratic leaders promise stringent oversight of regulatory rollbacks over the last two years.

Democrats yesterday rode a surge of turnout to win control of the House, where they intend to offer a check on Trump's efforts to dismantle regulations in favor of increased production of oil, natural gas and coal. The party so far has picked up 26 seats, giving it control of a chamber they have not held for nearly eight years.

That will give Democrats control of House committees that can subpoena documents and launch investigations. Representative Frank Pallone (D-New Jersey) is promising "vigorous oversight" from the energy committee where he is expected to become chairman, with reviews of Trump policies he says would exacerbate climate change and weaken environmental protections.

Trump today presented the mid-term results as a personal victory, by crediting his campaigning for helping Republicans strengthen their hold on the US Senate by picking up at least two seats. Trump said there is now an "easier path" to enact legislation because bills that come out of the House could win bipartisan support in the Senate.

"Democrats will come to us with a plan for infrastructure, a plan for health care, a plan for whatever they are looking at and we will negotiate," Trump said. He added that he wanted to advance "really great policy, including environmental policy."

House minority leader Nancy Pelosi (D-California), who could become speaker, yesterday called for bipartisanship but said she wanted to restore "checks and balances" on the administration. Pelosi said today infrastructure was an issue of common ground that would support economic growth and attract Democratic support.

US interior secretary Ryan Zinke and Environmental Protection Agency acting administrator Andrew Wheeler are set to become regular visitors to Capitol Hill as oversight ramps up. Those two officials have championed efforts to freeze fuel-economy standards, dismantle climate regulations and open vast tracts of land to drilling and mining.

But some cabinet members are set to leave after the mid-terms. Trump today said there was a review of unknown issues involving Zinke that could conclude in about a week. Trump today also forced attorney general Jeff Sessions to resign, raising fresh concerns about interference with a special counsel appointed to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 elections.

"I could fire everybody right now but I do not want to stop it because politically I do not like stopping it," Trump said.

The Senate, where most legislation needs 60 votes to avoid a filibuster, could restrict bills passed by the House from reaching the White House. But Trump said he was optimistic about achieving a "beautiful, bipartisan type of situation" with the new dynamic on Capitol Hill, while threatening consequences for Democrats if they use their power to investigate him and no legislation is passed.

"I am just going to blame them," Trump said. "Honestly it make it much simpler for me, they will be blamed."

The 115th Congress will return to Washington next week in a lame-duck session that is set to end on 13 December. Lawmakers are trying to pass spending legislation, a farm bill and other measures that may be complicated by Trump's demand to fund a border wall.

The election is unlikely to prompt changes in US foreign policy, but Democrats are set to use oversight power to target Trump's handling of relations with Russia and Moscow's alleged interference with the US elections. House Democrats have criticized Trump's dismantling of the Iran nuclear agreement but do not appear to be willing to push back against the enforcement of sanctions.