Trump's policies likely to face challenges due to Republicans' slim majority in House

House Republicans will begin the next Congress with a slimmer majority than anticipated, complicating efforts to swiftly advance President-elect Donald Trump’s conservative policy agenda.

The GOP will hold 220 seats in the House, just two more than the 218 needed to pass legislation without Democratic support.

This narrow margin of error is likely to shrink further, with two Republicans expected to join the Trump administration and former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) not returning after his brief bid for attorney general, Washington Post reported

Republicans have projected unity and optimism about controlling Congress and the White House. Still, lawmakers and aides acknowledge that their narrow, ideologically fractured majority will pose significant hurdles.

More from United States Of America

From father's advice to pastor's call: How Charlie Kirk's shooter Tyler Robinson was turned in to police Charlie Kirk: Killer still at large, motive uncertain; FBI releases photo with $100,000 reward

The GOP’s five-seat majority in the current Congress exposed deep divisions, with hard-liners frequently blocking compromises and forcing reliance on Democratic votes.

‘Nothing to spare’

“Do the math; we’ve got nothing to spare,” House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said during his weekly news conference.

Johnson, who has managed a razor-thin majority during his short tenure as speaker, faces mounting pressure to deliver on Trump’s often unconventional proposals while safeguarding swing-district Republicans, crucial for maintaining the GOP’s majority.

“We could be the most consequential Congress of the modern era because we have to fix everything,” Johnson said. “We know how to work with a small majority; that’s our custom now.”

Impact Shorts

More Shorts

As Trump weaponises tariff, Fed sees a bigger worry: Not jobs, but rising prices in America

Despite a backdown deal, Trump deploys hundreds more National Guard troops in Washington DC

What’s the Republicans’ strategy?

House and Senate Republican leaders are already strategising for the upcoming session, focusing on two large-scale bills: one on border security and energy reforms, and another on reauthorising Trump’s 2017 tax law.

However, internal pushback may delay votes until April, when two vacant Florida seats are expected to be filled.

Some Republicans believe Trump’s influence could unify the party. If members resist certain policies, “We’ll call President Trump,” said Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.).

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), a staunch Trump ally, warned that megadonors like Elon Musk could help voters replace dissenters. “The way the House and the Senate needs to understand the mandate is that the American people want President Trump’s agenda done,” Greene said.

Despite efforts to foster cohesion, some Republicans acknowledge they may still need Democratic support.

“That is going to be, I think, the challenge for some people within my party to accept,” said Rep. Max L. Miller (R-Ohio). “You still do need the other side, even though you do have a trifecta.”