A Single Vote
The final result in the recent U.S. House of Representatives election is now in, with Democrat Adam Gray narrowly defeating Republican John Duarte in California’s 13th congressional district. Had all seats remained filled as elected, Republicans would hold a 220-215 majority heading into the 119th Congress. However, with three House Republicans (Matt Gaetz, Mike Waltz, and Elise Stefanik) either already resigned (Gaetz), in the process of resigning (Waltz, in order to become National Security Advisor), or expected to resign (Stefanik, in order to become Ambassador to the United Nations), the functioning majority will almost immediately become 217-215.
In practical terms, it means the GOP majority is a single vote if all Members are present and voting.
Analysis and eternal perspective: First, prepare for plenty of drama in the U.S. House. While much of the post-election news is understandably focused on the incoming unified Republican control of the White House and both chambers of Congress, it is anything but true to assert that Republicans will have an easy time implementing a legislative agenda. The absence of any margin for error in a body as large as the U.S. House is certain to present roadblocks, and the current political environment (even within the respective parties) is anything but unified.
Why should we as Jesus followers—across all political persuasions—prepare in advance for this drama in the U.S. House? Candidly, we should do so simply because it will enable us to better remain focused on the True and the beautiful.
Perhaps you are most interested in the upcoming debate about taxation. Or maybe it is immigration and border security that grabs your attention. Maybe it is another issue. No matter your issue of focus, that debate will run into tough sledding in the U.S. House soon, and you will be deluged with divisive messaging from both proponents and opponents. Let’s use our advance notice to prepare for how we will navigate that coming reality in a way that is both shrewd and innocent.
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” (Matt. 10:16).
The following article originally appeared in Thann’s “The Equipped” Weekly Newsletter. For more information on Thann’s weekly email, click here.