The House Republican Majority Is Down to Almost Nothing

1 week ago 7

You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load.

Unexpected vacancies have whittled the G.O.P.’s edge to just a couple of votes, leaving Speaker Mike Johnson with almost no margin for leading the chamber.

Jan. 13, 2026Updated 11:24 a.m. ET

A surprise resignation and a sudden death have left House Republican leaders starting the new session of Congress with their already slim majority down to the bare minimum of 218 seats.

House Republicans

House Democrats

225 members

Jan. 6 , 2026

218 R

213 D

Jan. 20, 2025

218 R

215 D

218

Projected

210

April

July

Oct.

April

House Republicans

House Democrats

225 members

Jan. 20, 2025

218 R

215 D

218

(Simple majority)

Projected

210

Jan. 2025

April

July

Oct.

Jan. 2026

April

Speaker Mike Johnson is now able to afford just two defections on any party-line vote if all members are present — and in an election year, they seldom are. In the coming weeks, his situation is expected to become worse, whittling down the margin to a single vote.

It is the continuation of a dynamic that has plagued House Republicans since President Trump took office in 2025: A majority so small that it gives outsize power to any one member who wants to buck the party. It makes governing difficult, if not impossible.

When Republicans cemented control of the House in the 2024 elections, they did so with only a small edge over Democrats: Republicans held 220 seats compared with 215 for the Democrats. They could afford only two defections to still pass legislation.

After the resignation late last year of Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, Republican of Georgia, and the sudden death last week of Representative Doug LaMalfa, Republican of California, the current breakdown is 218 Republicans to 213 Democrats.