One word: Gerrymandering. The Republicans were able to control the house while losing the national congressional popular vote by being better able to redistric

One word: Gerrymandering. The Republicans were able to control the house while losing the national congressional popular vote by being better able to redistrict their congressional seats in ways that were favorable to them. This is why it is important which party controls State legislatures, those legislatures favor their own party when they draw the map.