Speaker Johnson’s House majority solidified by Vince Fong’s inauguration

The House swore in its newest member on Monday, bringing the Republican conference back to 218 members and giving Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) a bit more breathing room as he navigates his legislative agenda with a historically small majority.

Rep. Vince Fong (R-CA) was sworn into office after lawmakers completed their first votes of the week, bringing the House back to 431 members for the first time since mid-March. With Fong’s presence, the GOP’s slim majority increases from one vote to two, giving the party some more leeway as they look to advance key spending measures over the summer.

“It is my great privilege to stand before you as the representative of the 20th District of the great state of California,” Fong said after being sworn in. “I’m truly honored, humbled, and grateful to be given this opportunity by the voters to serve and be a strong voice for our region.”

Fong’s swearing-in comes two weeks after he defeated Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux for the seat, which was previously held by former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) before he stepped down late last year. The victory allows Fong to represent California’s 20th Congressional District for the remainder of this Congress, and it gives him an advantage in the general election in November for a full term.

“I also want to especially thank my mentor and friend, Speaker Kevin McCarthy,” Fong said. “He has worked tirelessly for decades on behalf of the constituents of the Central Valley of California, and our nation.”

McCarthy, who became the first speaker to be ousted through a motion to vacate in October, played a substantial role in Fong’s campaign by appearing at fundraising events and helping to secure a coveted endorsement from former President Donald Trump. A political action committee tied to the former speaker also poured $450,000 into a pro-Fong super PAC to help boost his candidacy and target Boudreaux in the March primaries.

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The replacement of McCarthy will chip away at the House’s efforts to fill a slew of other vacancies announced over the last few months. Those include the seats vacated by Republican Reps. Bill Johnson, Mike Gallagher, and Ken Buck, all of whom resigned from office before their terms expired. There is also the seat vacated by Democratic Rep. Donald Payne, who died earlier this year.

Those races are not expected to flip parties and will provide Republicans with a little boost to their majority once they are all filled. Until then, Johnson faces pushback from some hard-line members who have repeatedly threatened his leadership, including a failed ouster attempt by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) earlier this month.