While Election Day was November 5, 2024, the final results of the races for Congress were announced on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. Representative-elect Adam Gray (D-CA) narrowly defeated Representative John Duarte (R-CA), resulting in one of the smallest margins in history (220-215) to begin the 119^th Congress on January 3, 2025.

That narrow margin will shrink by three seats in several steps beginning January 3, 2025. Former-Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) resigned from the 118^th Congress and stated that he would not serve in the 119^th Congress, despite being re-elected. On Inauguration Day, January 20, 2025, Representative Michael Waltz (R-FL) will be President Trump’s National Security Advisor, vacating his current seat in Congress. President-elect Trump nominated Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY) to serve as Ambassador to the United Nations, and she is expected to resign her seat when confirmed. The Ambassador to the United Nations must be confirmed by the Senate, so the date of her resignation is to be determined.

Under the United States Constitution, Art. I, Sec. 2, vacancies in the House of Representatives are to be filled by election. A special election to fill the two Florida seats is scheduled for April 1, 2025, with primaries scheduled to be held January 28, 2025. A special election to fill the expected vacancy for the New York seat of Representative Stefanik must be called by Governor Hochul within ten days of the vacancy. The election would then be held between 70 and 80 days after that announcement.

On the day Representative Stefanik resigns, House Republicans will have a 217-215 majority. This means that during the crucial first 100 days of the Trump Administration, when Republicans seek legislative victories, it would take only one Republican to vote with all Democrats to defeat any legislation (assuming all 432 Representatives vote). Unlike the Senate, where the Vice President can vote to break ties, in the House, a tie vote means the legislation fails due to not receiving a majority of the votes in support.

The districts represented by the three Representatives lean Republican, so it is more likely than not that their three successors will be Republicans. If all three races are won by Republicans, then the margin would return to 220-215. The 119^th Congress, especially during the first few months of 2025, will test Republican unity and support for the policies put forth by Republican leaders and President-elect Trump.