Waltz Resigns from House, Shrinking GOP Majority

On Monday, January 20, 2025, Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL) tendered his resignation for his House seat.

His resignation leaves Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) with only a 218-215 majority.

Time to Go

Waltz has been selected as Trump’s National Security Adviser, a position that does not require Senate approval. Even if it did, though, his resume more than makes him qualified for this position, so I doubt there would have been much resistance to this appointment.

Waltz resigned on Day One of the Trump administration so he could get to work right away, and he did just that, making a huge splash by already sending staffers packing.

In offering his resignation, Waltz wrote, "As I prepare to assume my duties as National Security Advisor to the president-elect, Donald J. Trump, I hereby make my resignation official from the U.S. House of Representatives, effective January 20th, 2025," Waltz said in a letter announcing his decision.

"I intend to serve out my term in the 118th Congress, and to be sworn into the 118th Congress. I have also submitted by notice to Governor Ron DeSantis to advise him on my resignation."

The Shrinking Advantage

Speaker Johnson was already working with a razor-thin majority, but Trump cherry-picking members of the House for his cabinet has shrunk that advantage to a mere 218-215 edge, giving Johnson only one vote to play with for any piece of legislation.

In addition to Waltz, Trump had nominated Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) as his attorney general. Gaetz immediately resigned from his seat but later withdrew his name from consideration.

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) is also leaving the House to serve as the UN Ambassador, where I think she will do a great job for Trump.

Thankfully, Trump stopped there, but it has Johnson in a very dire state in terms of being able to pass legislation.

Special Elections

Governor DeSantis has already announced that the special elections will be held in April.

He has also filled the Senate seat vacated by Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), who is now Secretary of State.

Rubio was replaced by Florida Attorney General Ashely Moody, which again, I think is an excellent pick on the part of DeSantis. Moody is a bulldog and will do a great job not only for the people of Florida but also for conservatives across the country.

When the special elections take place, all seats are located in strong red districts, so unless something drastic happens, Johnson should see his majority go up by a handful of votes.