Republicans Hold Majority in 119th Congress

The 119th United States Congress officially begins with Republicans holding a narrow majority, comprising 53 senators and 219 representatives, while facing challenges in electing a speaker due to a slim margin that allows little room for dissent. The election for House Speaker is pivotal, as Mike Johnson must secure 218 votes to maintain his position amidst internal opposition. Demographically, the Congress remains predominantly white, with significant underrepresentation of Hispanic, Latino, and Black members, and gender representation shows only 15% of Republicans are women. Meanwhile, New York's population has increased, improving its congressional redistricting outlook slightly, now projected to lose two seats instead of three by 2030. In India, the Congress party faced significant defeats in state elections, weakening its position ahead of the upcoming general elections. As Congress begins its new session, both the U.S. and India are navigating significant political dynamics and demographic challenges.