House Republicans are preparing for their role under a unified government with President-elect Trump, working to project a sense of unity despite internal tensions.
However, with a slim majority and ongoing chaos, the GOP faces hurdles in executing an ambitious legislative agenda, which will likely encounter unexpected challenges, particularly from Trump.
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) has predicted these challenges, acknowledging that disagreements will likely arise as they move forward with Trump’s agenda.
Tom Emmer predicts challenges but highlights shared goals within the GOP as a foundation for unity
Emmer, reelected to his post, expressed confidence in the party’s ability to find common ground despite occasional discord. “There’s more that unites us than divides us,” he said, emphasizing a positive outlook despite the obstacles ahead.
Efforts to maintain harmony are underway, with hard-line conservatives and anti-chaos Republicans agreeing on key changes to internal procedures. Under a new deal, it will take at least nine members to force a vote to oust the Speaker, preventing a repeat of last year’s chaos when Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was removed.
In exchange, proposals to penalize members who defy the party line on procedural votes were dropped, and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) was unanimously renominated, although his ability to keep the party unified remains in question.
Rep. Ralph Norman (R-Okla.) of the House Freedom Caucus is optimistic that Johnson’s reelection will be smooth, citing the effort to ensure a strong start for Trump’s presidency. Norman believes that with a cohesive approach, the GOP will endure.
However, Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) cautioned that the new rule does not guarantee stability. He suggested that while the increase in the number of members needed to trigger a vote of no confidence in the Speaker might seem like a stabilizing move, it still leaves the door open for further GOP-induced instability.
“Mike Johnson’s agreement to this deal shows they’re not demanding much,” McGovern remarked, highlighting his concerns. Republicans are already bracing for tough battles as they look to push through an ambitious legislative agenda.
The first major task will be advancing a substantial tax package, which GOP leaders hope to pass through budget reconciliation, bypassing the Senate filibuster and Democratic opposition. However, if spending cuts do not accompany the bill, it could face strong resistance from fiscal conservatives within the party.
Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), a leading voice for hard-line conservatives, made it clear that any tax package should at least be deficit-neutral to secure their support. He warned that Republican unity could fray if the party deviates from its fiscal responsibility principles, referencing the failed border bill H.R. 2 from 2023 as a point of contention.
Some Republicans hope that Trump will serve as a unifying force to keep the party aligned. Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) believes that if members oppose Trump’s agenda, the former president’s influence will be strong enough to pressure them back in line.
Zinke cited the departures of Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.) and Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) as examples of the risks of opposing Trump’s wishes, noting how Good’s primary loss and Rosendale’s political withdrawal were both tied to Trump’s involvement.
Even some Democrats acknowledge that Trump’s influence could help solidify GOP unity. Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.) suggested that Trump might be the very force that keeps the Republican conference together.
However, Trump’s influence may also spark division, as demonstrated by his controversial pick of former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) for attorney general, which sent shockwaves through the GOP.
As Republicans gathered for a closed-door conference, news of Gaetz’s potential appointment left many members stunned, with some voicing audible disapproval. Gaetz has long been a divisive figure within the party, admired by some but despised by others.
Zinke, who served in Trump’s Cabinet, noted that surprises like this were a common occurrence during Trump’s tenure, leaving others unsure whether he was purposely stirring the pot or simply acting in his own unpredictable style.
