House Republicans are preparing for a combative next Congress as Democrats take control of the chamber.
Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota, who is moving from House majority whip to minority whip, said Republicans intend to hold the new Democratic majority accountable for ideas advanced by its progressive wing. He said they would do so even without control over which bills reach the floor.
Emmer was elected minority whip Tuesday, serving alongside incoming House Minority Leader Jim Jordan of Ohio. Democrats are set to take the Speaker’s gavel, with current minority leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York expected to win the position.
Although Jeffries will have considerable influence over the House agenda, Emmer said Republicans would look for ways to advance their own arguments. He pointed to committee hearings and floor votes as tools for drawing attention to Democratic positions.
Emmer argued that investigating President Trump would not address issues such as wages and the cost of living. He said Republicans would coordinate their efforts to challenge Democrats on those subjects, though he declined to explain in detail how they would use floor votes.
“There are a lot of tools available,” Emmer said, adding that Republicans would need to adjust their approach from week to week.
He also expressed little expectation of cooperation across party lines, suggesting Democrats might struggle to agree among themselves, too. Emmer warned Republicans not to assume Democrats would follow through on friendly assurances.
Other Republicans are considering ways to use floor procedures to put Democrats in difficult positions. Rep. Randy Fine of Florida said Republicans could offer amendments, making debate skills and clear communication important.
Amendment votes are routinely held on major legislation, including the annual National Defense Authorization Act, which updates and renews key national security policies.
Rep. Nick LaLota of New York said Republicans could also make strategic use of a “motion to recommit,” a procedure that gives the minority party a chance to seek changes to a bill or try to stop it. He noted that legislation passed by the House would still need to clear the Senate and receive President Trump’s signature to become law.
Rep. Mark Harris of North Carolina said Republicans have been discussing how to take a more aggressive approach, adding that he hoped Democrats would find floor debates difficult.
Another option is a privileged resolution, which can force a House vote within two days of its introduction. The process typically starts with a vote on whether to set the measure aside or send it to committee before lawmakers consider the proposal itself.
Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky recently used the procedure to seek consideration of an effort to impeach Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. House Republicans voted to send the measure to committee, effectively blocking it.
The Republicans interviewed showed little interest in relying on privileged resolutions. LaLota said lawmakers should build support for measures that benefit the public, and argued the procedure had been overused.
Emmer said his central objective over the next two years is to help Republicans regain the House majority in 2028. He described that as achievable, saying at least 38 seats won by Democrats could be competitive for Republicans again.
Asked whether he hoped former Republican incumbents would run for their seats, Emmer said he did and had already spoken with several of them.
