Mike Johnson gets reinforcements with swearing-in of Florida Republicans – Washington Examiner
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) welcomed two new Republican members, Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine, to the House following their victories in Florida’s special elections. This expansion of the Republican conference gives johnson a three-seat majority, vital as Congress faces a notable budget debate in the upcoming weeks. Patronis emphasized the possibility for the GOP under their majority to address fiscal issues and enhance opportunities for Americans. Their election comes amid challenges for the Republicans, including recent resignations that had narrowed their control. The House now has a Republican majority of 220-213, with efforts underway to pass a large spending bill through reconciliation. However, procedural difficulties have arisen due to the slim margins in the House, complicating Johnson’s agenda.
Speaker Johnson’s majority gets reinforcements with swearing-in of two Florida Republicans
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has sworn in two new members of the Republican conference, giving him a three-seat majority ahead of a crucial budget fight in the coming weeks.
Reps. Jimmy Patronis (R-FL) and Randy Fine (R-FL) became the latest members of the House just one day after their victories in Florida’s special elections to fill the seats of former Rep. Matt Gaetz and now-National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.
“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.
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