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Mike Johnson is facing a new challenge with the smallest House majority in history. Despite remaining as the Republican speaker, he will have to manage an even smaller majority while President-elect Donald J. Trump seeks his support to accomplish key agenda items.
Written by Catie Edmondson
Reporting live from the Capitol
The margin of Speaker Mike Johnson’s majority has decreased.
The last House race was decided on Tuesday evening when Representative John Duarte, a new Republican member, accepted defeat to Democrat Adam Gray. This solidified a narrow 220-215 majority for the Republicans, which is even tighter than their current 220-213 majority.
The margins will decrease even more in January as Representatives Elise Stefanik from New York and Mike Waltz from Florida step down to join the Trump administration. Additionally, former Representative Matt Gaetz from Florida has indicated he will not be coming back.
The Republican party will have a slim majority of 217-215 in the House, which is one of the smallest margins in history. If all Democrats vote against a measure, Mr. Johnson cannot afford to lose any support from his party until vacant seats are filled. Even after the vacancies are filled, only three Republicans can vote against a bill without it failing to pass.
On Wednesday, Mr. Johnson appeared unconcerned about the situation, stating to reporters at Capitol Hill that they are familiar with working with a slim majority and it is something they are accustomed to.
He stated that there is no extra resources available. All members are aware of this and constantly discuss the importance of working together as a team and moving in the same direction.
He didn’t talk about how he achieved success in managing a small majority in the past year by working with Democrats to pass important laws that his own party didn’t back. This strategy may not work in the future when President-elect Donald J. Trump is in office.
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