Overview
- A New York Times breakdown cited in new reporting puts the House at 218 Republicans, 213 Democrats and four vacancies, leaving Republicans with room for at most two defections when all members are present.
- Rep. Neal Dunn announced he will retire at the end of the session, a move that preserves the current count for now but removes the GOP’s incumbency edge in his Florida district.
- Upcoming special elections, including one later this month in Texas and another in April to fill Mikie Sherrill’s seat, are expected to favor Democrats and could tighten the margin further.
- The thin majority has already curbed legislative activity, with 2025 registering the fewest House votes of any first year of a session in the 21st century, according to the coverage.
- Speaker Mike Johnson faces daily vote-counting challenges as absences and occasional GOP defections let Democrats force floor action on select issues through discharge petitions, including recent votes on the Epstein files and Affordable Care Act subsidies.