When Republicans gained control of the House in November 2022, many in Washington wondered how they would be able to govern effectively with one of the slimmest majorities in history. Some Democrats even speculated if they might be able to take back the House before the term ended.
Sixteen months later, as the Republican majority has shrunk even further, House Speaker Mike Johnson is admitting that possibility. He told Fox News on Monday that there is a slim chance he could lose the speakership to Democratic House leaderĀ Hakeem JeffriesĀ in the next few weeks amid a wave of early retirements. "Thatās a risk,ā Johnson said of Democrats taking control of the House.
Already three Republican lawmakers have resigned from their posts mid-termāReps.Ā Kevin McCarthy, Bill Johnson, and Ken Buck. A fourth Republican, Rep. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, is expected to step down in mid-April, bringing the partyās former nine-seat majority down to just 217-213 as Republicans lost a fifth seat afterĀ George SantosĀ was expelled from the House.
I get itās about defects on individual votes, but Jeffries isnāt going to become speaker without an actual majority. Anything short of an actual majority just means Republican control of legislation becomes more tenuous, not that Democrats will take control.
Itās possible that a few Blue State GOPs would cross Party lines to vote for him.
Sampe quote. āI am a proud ronald Reagan Republican. I remember when Reagan and Tip OāNeil would fight over a bill, then reach a mutually acceptable compromise. Iāll happily step away from the likes of Lauren Bobert in the name of civility.ā
Iām not getting excited until it actually happens. Iām burnt out being edged by the news for almost 8 years that Trump was on the verge of being held accountable. Iām done. Hope itāll happen, but I expect nothing and I expect this whole article to be a completely pointless waste of energy by the time elections roll around. I would fucking love to be wrong.
Thereās an old joke about how to things come to complete ruin. Gradually, and then all at once.