5 Things To Know About The Start Of The 119th Congress

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Congress will begin its work for the 119th session on Jan. 3, in accordance with the 20th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which requires Congress to meet at least once each year starting at noon on this date. Prior to the amendment’s ratification in Jan. 1933, Congress convened on the first Monday in December.

GOP Control

Once the 119th Congress is sworn in and Donald Trump is inaugurated, Republicans will have what has come to be known as a governing ‘trifecta’, or control of the White House, U.S. House of Representatives, and United States Senate. President-elect Trump’s will be the sixth consecutive administration to ‘enjoy’ this friendly governing circumstance for at least two years. George W. Bush had the trifecta for four years.

House Drama

In the U.S. House, Republicans will hold the majority, but barely. There are 435 voting seats. Democrats control 215, Republicans control 220. But one of those was won by Matt Gaetz, who resigned when Trump nominated him for Attorney General, and now, even though he’s withdrawn his name from consideration, has no plans to return, So, the margin will be 219-215 for Friday’s Speaker election. To win, Johnson must get a majority of all the votes that are cast for a named candidate. Thus, if there are no absences and all 434 votes are cast for named candidates (voting ‘present’ would lower the threshold), Johnson would need 218 for a majority. This means if all Democrats are present (and reportedly they will be) and all vote for Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, Speaker Mike Johnson can afford just one no vote from Republicans if he is to be reelected Speaker.

Senate Leadership Smooth Transition

In contrast to the House, the Senate will see a smoother transition, with Republicans holding a 53-47 majority. Leadership elections have already been decided, with Senator John Thune chosen to succeed Mitch McConnell as the new Republican Senate Majority Leader. Chuck Schumer will continue as leader of the Democratic Conference and now serve as the minority leader. On Jan. 3, approximately a third of Senators, those elected or re-elected in November, will take their oaths of office in groups, sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris, President of the Senate.

Important Deadline

One of the key deadlines for the House will be the certification of Donald Trump’s Electoral College victory, which is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 6. House Republicans are expected to work quickly to resolve the speakership issue, ensuring the certification process can proceed smoothly.