January 3
This week in MORE POWER:
New House
New Senate
Changes in Leadership
Inauguration
Priorities: A Look Ahead
Happy New Year! New year, new Congress. The 119th Congress will convene today. There have been major changes in both chambers, so here’s a look at the new balance of power in the federal government.
New House
The 119th Congress’ House will be controlled by the Republicans, as it was in the 118th Congress. Republicans hold 220 seats while Democrats hold 215. However, these numbers may shift a bit because a few Republican representatives are leaving the House, such as former Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) and Michael Waltz (R-Fla.). Stefanik and Waltz will likely depart to join President-elect Trump’s administration. There will have to be special elections held to replace these members, and only Gaetz’ is scheduled for April 1. So, the Republican’s majority may appear slightly smaller until the replacements are seated.
For the first time since 2016, women did not gain more representation in Congress after Election Day; however, the first openly transgender woman, Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), was elected and is now serving in the House.
New Senate
The Senate has flipped from Democrat-controlled to Republican-controlled. Republicans flipped four seats, giving them 53 members. Democrats have 47. Notably, this Senate has a record-breaking number of Hispanic and/or Latino members. Additionally, Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) is the first Korean-American senator. Another first for the Senate: two Black women senators will serve in the 119th Congress at the same time. Black women have been elected to the Senate before, but they have always been the only Black woman in the Senate; Sens. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) will serve in the same Senate simultaneously.
Changes in Leadership
Today, the new House voted for Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) to continue to be the speaker of the House. Johnson was the speaker of the House in the 118th Congress, and, in November, he won the House Republican nomination to remain speaker. The speaker of the House leads the House, sets the legislative agenda, and is second in line for presidential succession.
Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) was elected in November to serve as the Senate majority leader. The Senate majority leader sets the legislative priorities and schedule for the chamber. Previously, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ken.) was in the Republicans’ leadership position for 18 years. In recent years, McConnell began suffering falls and moments where he appeared to freeze and become unable to speak. When he announced he was stepping down, Thune ran for the leadership position and won over Trump loyalists.
Inauguration
Americans voted for Donald Trump to be the next president, however he is not the president yet — rather, he is president-elect until he takes the oath of office during the inauguration ceremony on January 20. Until then, President Biden remains in office. Inauguration is a formal event that marks the peaceful transfer of power and includes the constitutionally-required oath, a speech, and other ceremonial activities.
Priorities: A Look Ahead
Republicans have a unified government, meaning they control every federal branch. Therefore, they can accomplish more of their legislative priorities. They have said their priorities include mass deportations, closing the Department of Education, reforming or replacing the Affordable Care Act, decreasing the federal government’s spending, ending climate initiatives, pushing for more national security, and altering foreign policy, including adding new tariffs and possibly reducing military aid for Ukraine.
What Congress Passed
Nothing.
Nothing.
Nothing.
What POTUS Signed Into Law
S.141 Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act
