NY Republican says House could ‘end up having a Speaker Hakeem Jeffries’ as GOP majority narrows

Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-N.Y., said Monday that multiple vacancies could reduce the House Republican majority, hurting caucus prospects and even allowing Democrats to take over the chamber. expressed concern.

Republicans now have a 218-213 majority in the House of Representatives following the resignation of former Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) on Friday. Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) is scheduled to resign next month, leaving the Republican majority with just four seats. The close margin is causing alarm among some House Republicans, including Tenney.

“He has to stay,” Tenney said of Gallagher in an interview with Fox News’ Larry Kudlow on Monday.

“We’re at risk. We may end up with Speaker Hakeem Jeffries of New York taking over on an interim basis while we wait for a special election,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York. mentioning, she added.

“Personally, why would you do that if you promised the people who elected you that you would serve for two years unless there was a very good reason?” Tenney continued, “and… Aren’t we Republicans?”

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) also drew anger at the time when she used a Wisconsin law to ensure Gallagher resigned this week, leaving her seat vacant until next January. expressed. Greene has argued that the House should expel Gallagher before he retires as punishment, a move that has not gained support.

Three of the four currently vacant seats were held by Republicans. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.)’s seat will be filled by a special election in late May, while former Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio) and Mr. Buck’s seats will be filled in June. .

The seat of former Rep. Brian Higgins of New York is also vacant and is expected to be filled by a special election on April 30th. This seat is likely to be won by Democrats, and Republicans could remain with just a two-seat lead over the period. May.

As a result, a paper-thin majority is at risk of slipping to the Democratic Party due to repeated absences or just one lawmaker siding with another party. Momentum is building to fire House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), also led by Greene, and the current margin is already endangering Republicans.