Speaker Mike Johnson is facing a significant challenge in the upcoming Congress due to the narrowest House majority in nearly a century. The Republican Party, set to control the House, Senate, and White House, will have to navigate through thin margins that could potentially hinder President-elect Donald Trump's agenda. The House is gearing up for a crucial vote on Friday to elect a speaker for the new Congress, with Republicans holding 220 seats and Democrats securing 215 in the November elections.
This slim majority marks the most closely divided House since the Great Depression, highlighting the delicate balance of power in the upcoming legislative session. The margin is expected to shrink further as former GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida has announced he will not be returning to Congress, bringing the partisan breakdown to 219 Republicans to 215 Democrats.
With two GOP lawmakers anticipated to join the Trump administration, the majority is projected to decrease to 217 Republicans to 215 Democrats. This scenario leaves House Republicans with little margin for error, as they would not be able to afford a single defection to pass legislation along party lines until the vacancies are filled.
