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2h ago

Menefee Sworn In, Cutting House GOP Majority to 218-214

The slimmer margin leaves Speaker Mike Johnson dependent on near-unanimous Republican votes for a shutdown-ending funding measure.

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Texas Congressional Candidate Christian Menefee speaks to supporters during his watch party at The Post Houston on Election Day, in Houston, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/ Karen Warren)
The US and Texas State flags fly at the Texas Capitol building during a session as lawmakers vote on various bills addressing funding for flood relief and prevention in response to the July 4 floods, in Austin, Texas on Augusts 21, 2025.
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Overview

  • Democrat Christian Menefee took the oath Monday night, shifting the House to 218 Republicans and 214 Democrats and limiting GOP leaders to a single allowable defection on party-line votes.
  • The House is expected to vote Tuesday on legislation to end a partial government shutdown, and a small group of Republicans, including Anna Paulina Luna, has indicated plans to slow floor action.
  • Menefee, a former Harris County attorney who sued the Trump administration, won Saturday’s runoff 68%–31% over Amanda Edwards with just 23,652 ballots cast out of roughly 424,000 registered voters.
  • Under newly redrawn maps, a March 3 Democratic primary will feature Menefee and Rep. Al Green, who was endorsed Monday by Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo.
  • Three seats remain vacant — NJ-11, GA-14 and CA-1 — with the earliest replacement expected after Georgia’s March 10 special election, and Johnson has previously delayed swearing in new members.