Another Republican resignation and medical absences are cutting into the party’s already shaky hold on the chamber.
Republicans have a very small majority in the US House – and it could theoretically disappear even before the November election.
The year began with 222 Republicans and 213 Democrats in the chamber. Because of the expulsion of George Santos and the resignation of Kevin McCarthy, the GOP is down to 220.
Day by day, thanks to a combination of coincidence, scandal, health issues and political turmoil, the G.O.P. majority keeps getting smaller. This week, with lawmakers absent for medical reasons and the recent not-so-voluntary departures of the ousted former speaker Kevin McCarthy and the expelled Mr. Santos, the best G.O.P. attendance that Speaker Mike Johnson can muster as he tries to avoid a government shutdown is the bare-minimum 218 votes. That is before factoring in the impact of rough winter weather across the nation. Another Republican, Representative Bill Johnson of Ohio, is resigning as of Sunday to take a job as a university president, lowering the number to 217 if Representative Harold Rogers of Kentucky, the 86-year-old dean of the House, is unable to quickly return from recuperating from a car accident. Representative Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the No. 2 Republican, is out until at least next month while undergoing cancer treatment. As a result, the G.O.P. could soon be able to afford just a single defection on any matter if Democrats remain united and have no absences of their own.
Bill Johnson's departure will bring the official GOP total down to 219. And though they are still House members, Scalise and Rogers are not able currently to attend the House due to health conditions.
Speaker Mike Johnson needs to rely increasingly on Democrats to get anything done because of truculent members of his own caucus.
Democrats say the recurring scenario of leaning on them for must-pass bills is proof that even though Republicans are the majority party on the tally sheet, they don’t have a working majority because of their diminished forces and constant internal squabbling. “When anything hits the fan, they don’t have 218,” said Representative Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland, the former longtime Democratic majority leader, referring to the number that represents a basic majority in the 435-member House. “They are not the majority party in this House.”
There's also the February 13th special election in NY-03 to replace George Santos. If Democrat Tom Suozzi defeats Republican Mazi Pilip, a de facto Trump supporter, the number of House Democrats will edge up to 214.
If you'd like to help Tom Suozzi and increase the possibility of a Democratic majority early, check out his campaign site.
Suozzi for Congress - Let's Fix This!
When you vote for Suozzi, you're effectively voting for a Democratic majority.
If you're still in high school but will turn 18 no later than February 13th and live in NY-03, register to vote ASAP! The deadline to register to vote in this special election is February 3rd. NY-03 includes parts of northeastern Queens and a larger chunk of suburban Nassau County. If you aren't sure whether you live in NY-03, go here and enter your ZIP+4. If you're in the district, there's still a picture of George Santos in the results though it does list the seat as vacant.