House Speaker Johnson Faces Historically Thin Majority, Setting Stage for Gridlock
House Speaker Mike Johnson faces an uphill battle securing the speakership due to the narrowest Republican House majority in nearly a century—a mere 219 to 215 seats initially, shrinking further to 217 to 215 as GOP members depart for the Trump administration. This razor-thin margin leaves Johnson vulnerable to defections, requiring near-unanimous Republican support to pass legislation and potentially necessitating Democratic votes. The already precarious situation is exacerbated by Republican dissent, with at least one representative publicly opposing Johnson’s bid. President-elect Trump’s endorsement, while helpful, doesn’t guarantee Johnson’s success.
John Q. Hosedrinker