House Speaker Election Set as Congress Convenes

The 119th Congress is set to convene with Republicans holding a narrow majority in both the House and Senate, raising questions on the impact this will have on President-elect Donald Trump's agenda. The first order of business will be the election of a House speaker, with current Speaker Mike Johnson vying to retain his position amidst potential opposition from a few GOP lawmakers. Johnson can only afford to lose one or two Republican votes, as all Democrats are expected to vote for Hakeem Jeffries. Trump's endorsement may bolster Johnson's chances, but the tight margins mean significant intra-party cooperation and outreach to Democrats will be necessary. The session begins amid expectations of contentious battles over policy priorities and potential conflicts within the Republican caucus. Johnson has emphasized the need for unity to address pressing issues facing the new Congress.