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Mike Johnson is facing a new challenge as the Republican speaker with the smallest House majority in history. Despite maintaining control of the House, he will lead an even smaller majority while President-elect Donald J. Trump relies on him for support to accomplish key agenda items.
Written by Catie Edmondson
Reporting live from the government building
Speaker Mike Johnson’s already slim majority has decreased further.
The last House race was officially decided on Tuesday evening, with Representative John Duarte from California, a new Republican, admitting defeat to Democrat Adam Gray. This solidified a slight majority of 220-215 for Republicans, which is even narrower than their current majority of 220-213.
In January, the margins will decrease even more as Representatives Elise Stefanik from New York and Mike Waltz from Florida step down to work in the Trump administration. Additionally, former Representative Matt Gaetz from Florida has indicated that he will not be coming back.
After the special election, Republicans will have a small majority of 217-215 in the House, which is one of the closest margins in history. If all Democrats stand together against a bill, Mr. Johnson cannot afford any of his party members to vote against it until the vacancies are filled. Even after the vacancies are filled, only three Republicans can go against the party without causing a bill to fail.
On Wednesday, Mr. Johnson appeared calm and unconcerned about the idea, stating to reporters at Capitol Hill that they are experienced in working with a small majority and it is something they are used to.
He stated that they do not have any extra resources to give, but all their members are aware of this. They discussed this today and regularly emphasize the importance of working together as a team and moving in the same direction.
He did not talk about how a significant part of his ability to work with a small majority in the past year came from collaborating with Democrats to pass important bills that his own party didn’t back. This strategy may not be possible in the upcoming Congress with President-elect Donald J. Trump as the President.
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