Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson is overseeing one of the smallest House majorities in history as Congress confronts contentious fights over immigration, impeachment and government funding.
The narrowly divided House majority is shifting again as a result of a new vacancy.
Republicans control 219 seats while Democrats control 212 after New York Democratic Rep. Brian Higgins’ resignation from Congress last week. With a breakdown of 219 to 212, House Republicans can afford to lose only three votes to pass legislation if all members are present and voting.
There are now four vacancies in the House. In addition to Higgins’ departure, former Ohio GOP Rep. Bill Johnson resigned last month, former Speaker Kevin McCarthy resigned at the end of last year and GOP former Rep. George Santos of New York was expelled last year.
The partisan makeup will shift again soon. A special election to fill the seat previously held by Santos will take place February 13. The race is expected to be competitive and is a potential pickup opportunity for Democrats.
In addition to the tight margin, there is always the possibility that absences could further impact the vote math.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise’s office has said that he will work remotely until returning to Washington in February as he recovers from a stem cell transplant.
Republican Rep. Hal Rogers of Kentucky was hospitalized after a car accident last month. His office subsequently announced that he had progressed to physical rehabilitation to assist in his recovery.
The razor-thin majority presents an enormous challenge for the speaker, leaving Johnson with almost no room for error as he navigates demands from competing wings of his party.
Hardline…
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