With Democrat Tom Suozzi’s victory in a special House election in New York on Tuesday, the shrinking Republican majority in the House dwindled even further, leaving the G.O.P.
able to afford only two defections from the party line on votes when all members are present.
That gives them almost no cushion to deal with the inevitable absences caused by illness, travel delays, weddings, funerals and unforeseen events that could keep Republicans away from the House floor for votes.
It also gives each individual House Republican even more leverage over Speaker Mike Johnson, who is already struggling to steer his unmanageable majority.
“I would be constantly on defense, I would be trying to avoid defeats, and I would be very, very careful,” former Speaker Newt Gingrich said in an interview.
Persons:
Tom Suozzi’s, Mike Johnson, Newt Gingrich
Organizations:
Republican
Locations:
New York, Ukraine, Israel