A wave of Republican discontent with Speaker Newt Gingrich prompted him to resign shortly after the election ; he was replaced by Congressman Dennis Hastert of Illinois .
However , the Republicans lost five seats to the Democrats , but retained a narrow majority in the House .
A wave of Republicans discontent with Speaker Newt Gingrich prompted him to resign shortly after the election ; he was replaced by Congressman Dennis Hastert of Illinois .
However , the Republicans lost five seats to the Democrats , but retained a narrow majority in the House .