House Speaker Johnson gives a media interview

Reporter: Have you lost control of the House?

Speaker Johnson: Not out of control. We are facing the narrowest majority in American history, and during this "unusual period," any unconventional procedural measures may be initiated, leading to complex situations. The timing of the relevant vote is undetermined, and all parties are still negotiating.

Speaker Johnson said the House "is not out of control," but acknowledged that it is in an "unusual period" under the "narrowest majority in American history." According to existing information, his statement is an acknowledgment of the current internal division within the Republican Party and the difficulty of the House's operations, rather than a complete denial of the existence of the problem.

The current party composition of the House can be summarized as "a difference of four seats, walking on thin ice":

· Seat comparison:

· Republicans (majority party): 219 seats

· Democrats (minority party): 215 seats

· Speaker election result: Johnson narrowly re-elected.

218 votes (just over the majority threshold).

Three Republican lawmakers defected, nearly causing his failure.

Johnson's statement can be interpreted as acknowledging an extremely fragile power base: as he said, this is one of the narrowest majorities in American history. If more than four Republican lawmakers defect, the Republicans will lose control of the voting outcome.

Responding to the threat of "unconventional procedural measures": What the speaker referred to as "unconventional procedural measures" has real precedents. For example, his predecessor McCarthy was ousted by just eight extreme conservative lawmakers in the party and Democratic collaboration after offending the right-wing "Freedom Caucus." This proves that a small faction can paralyze the entire House under a narrow majority.

A narrow majority is always a risk, which can easily lead to legislative gridlock, resulting in shutdowns or crises.

Speaker Johnson has always been sitting on pins and needles, walking on thin ice, and constantly worried, unable to relax even slightly. Seemingly prosperous, who understands the bitterness within!

Original: toutiao.com/article/1851805351990272/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author alone.