House swears in Suozzi, narrowing GOP majority

Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) was sworn into the House of Representatives on Wednesday, reclaiming the seat he previously held and narrowing the already slim Republican majority in the chamber.

Mr. Suozzi defeated former Rep. George Santos (R.N.Y.) in New York’s 3rd Congressional District earlier this month after the Republican was expelled following a federal indictment and a scathing report from the Ethics Commission. He won a special election to replace him in the House of Representatives.

Suozzi’s oath of office brings the total number of members of the House of Representatives to 432, with 219 Republicans and 213 Democrats, making the majority in the Republican conference extremely narrow. In the upcoming party-line vote, Republicans can only afford to lose two of their members, but ensure their priorities pass if all members are present and vote.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) administered the oath of office to Suozzi on the House floor during a series of votes Wednesday night. He was surrounded by members of the New York delegation.

Suozzi represented New York’s 3rd Congressional District from 2017 to 2023, and Washington unsuccessfully ran for governor of the Empire State. On Wednesday, he discussed his unexpected return to the House.

“I never thought I’d be back here,” Suozzi said in a speech on the House floor after being sworn in, drawing laughter from the chamber.

Suozzi defeated Republican Maji Pilip in the Long Island district, winning the Washington seat 53.9% to 46.1%.

His victory flipped key Republican seats blue, dealing a blow to Johnson and his conference. Mr Johnson dismissed his party’s defeat in the constituency, insisting the campaign was “by no means a bellwether” for November’s election, and Mr Suozzi ran “like a Republican”.

However, Suozzi rejected that statement on Wednesday.

“Mr. Chairman, after my recent election, you said that I had to quietly take exception. You said that Tom Suozzi ran like a Republican. Now, “I understand you meant that as a compliment. Let me be clear, Mr. Speaker, that I am a true blue Democrat,” he said.

Mr. Suozzi focused his campaign on immigration and border security issues, which have emerged as top issues among voters this election cycle. He called on Johnson to bring to the floor a compromise that would address the border situation and support US allies overseas.

“I know compromise is difficult in this town, Mr. Speaker, but please bring a bipartisan compromise to the floor and I will ensure it passes,” Suozzi said. “Every problem we face in this country is complex. Every one of them. And an environment of fear and anger will not solve anything.”