House GOP majority to shrink again in time for potential government shutdown showdown

The Republican Party’s majority in the House of Representatives will shrink again in time for the potential government shutdown showdown set to take place in the coming weeks, with at least one House member’s retirement forcing the GOP’s ranks to dwindle. As it stands, Republicans still hold a slim majority of 217-193 over Democrats, including three vacancies. But with Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-N.J.) announcing his retirement earlier this month, that majority will shrink by at least one, potentially putting the GOP’s hold on the House in further jeopardy. The looming government shutdown could loom large for the GOP, which may be forced to pass a spending resolution to avert a stoppage in federal services. With a slimmer majority, the party will be forced to rely more heavily on Democrats to reach the 218-vote threshold needed to pass the legislation. this situation could lead to increased tension among factions in the GOP– between moderates who might be willing to make concessions to avoid a shutdown and more partisan members who might refuse to budge– and further threaten the party’s control of the House and ability to pass legislation.