Speaker Mike Johnson swore in Rep. James Gallagher (R-Calif.) Wednesday as the 431st member of the House, succeeding the late Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a Republican who died in January.
Gallagher brings the partisan balance of the chamber to 219-212, meaning Republicans can afford as many as three defections on party-line votes where all members are participating. But one GOP member, Rep. Tom Kean Jr. of New Jersey, has been absent since March and the exact date of his return is unclear.
Democrats are expected to pick up two additional seats in special elections before September. Special elections have yet to be scheduled to fill two other vacancies in GOP-leaning districts that are unlikely to be filled this Congress.
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