The House Republican Majority Is Down to Almost Nothing
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- Speaker Mike Johnson can now tolerate only two defections on party-line votes if all members are present, a margin that is expected to shrink to just one vote soon.
- This narrow majority has been a persistent challenge for House Republicans since President Trump took office in 2025, giving disproportionate power to individual members and complicating governance.
- Republicans gained control of the House in the 2024 elections with a slim majority of 220 seats to the Democrats' 215, allowing for only two defections to pass legislation.
- Recent changes, including the resignation of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and the death of Rep. Doug LaMalfa, have reduced the Republican majority to 218 seats against 213 Democrats.
