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House Republicans may face the new year with a razor-thin one-seat majority, posing challenges for the 119th Congress as President-elect Trump pushes for an ambitious first 100 days.
Late GOP losses and resignations for administration roles could leave little room for dissent, with one remaining race potentially deciding a one- or two-seat margin. In California’s 13th District, Rep. John Duarte, R-Calif., faces a tight race against Democrat Adam Gray, who leads by about 0.1%. Counties must certify results by Dec. 5. A Democratic win would narrow the House to 220 Republicans and 215 Democrats.
The GOP majority in the House could shrink further due to three Republican departures: Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., resigned to potentially become Trump’s attorney general, Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., was appointed UN ambassador, and Mike Waltz, R-Fla., was named national security adviser. While their deep-red districts are unlikely to flip, special elections for Gaetz and Waltz are set for April 1, with Stefanik’s replacement undecided. This leaves the GOP managing a slim one-seat majority for the first 100 days. House GOP Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., dismissed concerns about the narrow margin in a recent FOX Business interview.
“That’s essentially what we’ve had over the last year, for better parts of the last year,” Emmer told The Bottom Line. “I’ve got to tell you, I don’t give a darn whether it’s 222, 225, 218. As long as we have a majority, we can deliver with Donald J. Trump for the American people.”
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