"State of play: The number of Republicans in the House narrowed to 218 following the unexpected resignation of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and the sudden death of Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.). Democrats hold 213 seats and are set to gain one more after the Jan. 31 special election in Texas. In 2026 alone, there have been a handful of days when so many Republicans were absent that the GOP didn't hold a working majority on the floor."
"Driving the news: GOP leaders summoned Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas) back to D.C. on Thursday as Republicans teetered on a vote that would limit President Trump's authority to wage war in Venezuela. Hunt, who is locked in a heated three-way Senate primary, has missed the majority of votes this year to campaign. Johnson told reporters he had "expected" Hunt to be present this week."
The Republican margin in the House narrowed to 218 after Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene resigned and Representative Doug LaMalfa died. Democrats hold 213 seats and will gain another seat after a Jan. 31 Texas special election. Absences by GOP members in 2026 have on multiple days eliminated a working majority on the floor. Leadership has warned members to avoid nonessential absences, with Majority Whip Tom Emmer urging misses only for life-or-death reasons and Speaker Johnson urging no risk-taking. GOP leaders summoned Representative Wesley Hunt back to D.C. to secure a close vote limiting presidential war authority, and Representative Jim Baird attended despite serious injuries.
Read at Axios
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