seats in the house including four pickups. republicans control 207 seats. that's 15 pickups. that's molinaro just improved that number 207. 41 seats are outstanding. the magic number 218. of the competitive seats that are out there, republicans need to win eight. democrats need to win 24. a much taller order for democrats right now. let's go to chief congressional correspondent manu raju. you just heard from kevin mccarthy the republican house leader who hopes to become the next speaker, what did he have to say? >> he has been behind closed doors for much of the day having meetings, talking to republican members as he's trying to lock down enough support to assume the speakership, assuming that republicans do take control of the house. and he was asked by our colleague kristin wilson about whether in fact he does have the votes to become speaker. he indicated, he does. >> do you have the votes for