“Mr. Speaker, with the Republican majority here in Congress, President Trump and the White House, we’ve got the opportunity of a lifetime to fix this country so our children grow up in a nation that’s safe and full of opportunities,” Patronis said after being sworn in by Johnson. “So, I’m ready to get our fiscal house in order.”

He continued, “For far too long, Americans have sent their hard-earned tax dollars to Washington without really feeling they’re getting anything for it.”

Patronis won in Florida’s 1st District with 56.7% of the vote compared to Democrat Gay Valimont’s 42.3%, with 95% of ballots counted as of Wednesday evening. Fine, whose race gave Republicans some heartburn ahead of Election Day, won in the 6th District with 56.7% to Democrat Joshua Weil’s 42.7%, with 95% of ballots counted. 

Republicans faced a dwindling majority after Gaetz and Waltz resigned from the House, making Johnson’s job more difficult as he has worked to advance President Donald Trump’s agenda. The GOP conference will now hold a 220-213 majority, with two Democratic vacancies due to the deaths of Reps. Sylvester Turner (D-TX) and Raul Grijalva (D-AZ).

Concerns about Republicans’ thin margins contributed to Trump pulling Rep. Elise Stefanik’s (R-NY) nomination to serve as his U.N. ambassador. Trump has not yet named who will take that mantle instead.

The swearing-in of Patronis and Fine comes as Republicans are trying to pass a massive spending bill using a budget process known as reconciliation. Johnson has set an ambitious goal of sending the legislation to Trump’s desk by Memorial Day.

Senate Republicans released their blueprint on Wednesday, meaning the House could take up the measure as soon as next week.

Johnson’s narrow margins also contributed to a procedural step failing on the House floor on Tuesday, leading Republicans to cancel votes for the remainder of the week.

Nine Republicans joined Democrats in blocking a measure that would allow proxy voting for new parents over the objections of Johnson.