Michelle Steel concedes defeat in California House race in key win for Democrats – WaExaminer
“If those numbers hold, Republicans will have a 220-215 majority — an even smaller majority than the one they have struggled with over the last two years. Even so, those numbers will not hold for long. Republicans are expected to start the year with at least three vacancies in the seats held by former Rep. Matt Gaetz, who resigned earlier this month, and Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Mike Waltz (R-FL), who will join the Trump administration.
“Those vacancies would leave the House makeup at 217-215, giving Republicans only a one-seat majority — raising concerns among members about how much of President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda they will be able to accomplish in the first 100 days. It also puts added pressure on Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) to lock up every single GOP vote for the Jan. 3, 2025, floor vote for House speaker.”
Calmes: This Thanksgiving, I’m grateful for Sen. Mitch McConnell – LA Times
“As ruthless and rule-bending as McConnell has been on judicial confirmations and more, I’m betting he’ll respect institutional and constitutional lines that Trump scornfully crosses and recruit a few other Republican senators to help hold those lines. A few Republicans are all that’s needed when the party’s majority is a narrow 53 to 47; Trump can lose just four votes if Democrats are united in opposition. I count up to a dozen Republicans who could take turns to buck Trump occasionally, which would dilute the political pain of Trump’s wrath.”