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Mike Johnson is facing a new challenge with the smallest majority in the history of the House. Despite maintaining control, the Republican speaker will have to navigate an even slimmer margin as President-elect Donald J. Trump looks to him for support in pushing through his key agenda items.
Written by Catie Edmondson
Reporting live from the Capitol
The margin of Speaker Mike Johnson’s majority has decreased.
The last undecided House race was decided on Tuesday night when Representative John Duarte, a first-term Republican from California, acknowledged defeat to Democrat Adam Gray. This solidified a 220-215 majority for Republicans in the House, 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 announced he will not be coming back.
After the special election, the Republicans will have a narrow majority of 217-215 in the House, which is one of the smallest margins in history. If all Democrats oppose a measure, Mr. Johnson will need every Republican to support it in order for it to pass until the vacancies are filled. Even after the vacancies are filled, only up to three Republicans can go against the party without causing a bill to fail.
On Wednesday, Mr. Johnson appeared unconcerned about the possibility and reassured reporters on Capitol Hill by stating that they have experience working with a small majority and it is something they are familiar with.
He stated that they have no extra resources to give, but their team members are aware of this. They discussed today, as they always do, the importance of working together as a team and moving in the same direction.
He achieved success in managing a small majority by working with Democrats to pass necessary laws that his own party did not support. However, this strategy may not be possible in the future with President-elect Donald J. Trump in office.
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