The Senate has cleared 16 Cabinet-level nominees since President Donald Trump returned to the White House, but Stefanik, nominated six days after the November election, has been indefinitely delayed over concerns it would deprive the House of a critical GOP vote.

Trump has already plucked Rep. Mike Waltz out of the House, appointing him as national security adviser, while Rep. Matt Gaetz resigned from Congress before his nomination for attorney general fizzled out.

That leaves Republicans able to lose a single Republican on the House floor for any vote.

Senate leaders are mindful of the math as they process Trump’s nominees. Republicans are trying to advance a budget resolution that would unlock the president’s agenda, with a House vote anticipated before the end of the month.

“Well, we’re going to work with the speaker of the House on that. I’m ready to go with her,” said Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), the Senate majority whip. “That would take the numbers out of the House down one, so we’re going to make sure that we’ll time it appropriately.”

A spokesperson for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) told the Washington Examiner her confirmation is a “matter for the White House and the Senate to resolve and that he will be supportive of their approach.”

When asked about her nomination, the White House issued a brief statement calling Stefanik a “great ally to President Trump.”

“We look forward to her serving as the Ambassador to the United Nations,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.

The time it will take to replace Waltz and Gaetz is the biggest consideration. Both represent safe red districts in Florida, but the special elections won’t take place until April 1.

There could be a protracted delay in seating Stefanik’s successor as well. The New York Legislature, run by Democrats, had been considering a bill that would delay special elections until November.

A vote on the bill was paused, apparently at the urging of Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY), but the election date is viewed as a possible bargaining chip in negotiations with the White House on congestion pricing. Democrats have cited the cost of special elections in introducing the bill.

Johnson’s office praised Stefanik, formerly the House GOP Conference chairwoman, as a “team player” as her nomination waits in the Senate. The Foreign Relations Committee held a confirmation hearing on Jan. 21, one day after Trump took office. Her nomination then advanced to the Senate floor by voice vote on Jan. 30.

Stefanik rose to national prominence as a combative Trump loyalist, defending the president in his first impeachment trial. She is considered one of his less controversial nominees, however, and is expected to receive bipartisan support.