‘Seized control’?

The note about the passing of Tom Foley, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives,makes this claim: “… Republicans seized control of Congress in 1994.” Was this an armed insurrection?

April 2, 2014 2:08 pm

(Regarding “2013: The Year in Review,” special section, Jan. 1):

The note about the passing of Tom Foley, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives,makes this claim: “… Republicans seized control of Congress in 1994.” Was this an armed insurrection?

As I recall there was a routine biennial election for members of the House in 1994. The Republicans won more seats than the Democrats.

Why would a putative news organization refer to the outcome of a lawful and peaceful election as “seized control”?

Ken Lutich

Sequim