House Republicans' already slim majority shrinks after Wisconsin member resigns following passage of foreign aid bill: GOP can now only afford to lose ONE vote to defeat Democrats

The departure of Rep. Mike Gallagher shaves off yet another Republican from the already razor-thin GOP House majority, further weakening the GOP's already loose grip on power. 

With Gallagher's resignation, House Republicans can only afford to lose a single Republican vote to get legislation passed along party lines.

If they lose more than a single GOP vote, Republicans will need Democrat support to pass any legislation.

As it stands, there are 217 Republicans and 213 Democrats and five vacancies in the House. 

This means if two Republicans vote with Democrats the vote would be 215 - 215, and a tie results in a loss for any measure. 

Further complicating the matter is the Thursday announcement from Rep. Jake LaTurner, R-Kan., that he will not seek re-election this fall. 

Speaker Mike Johnson's Republican majority can only afford to lose member on party line vote

'It is time to pursue other opportunities and have the benefit of spending more time with my family,' LaTurner wrote in his announcement. 

He said the 'dysfunction' of the current House of Representatives is 'distressing,' an apparent nod at the chaos that may have prompted so many members to seek employment outside of Capitol Hill this cycle. 

In addition to Gallagher and LaTurner, many influential members of the GOP have also stated their desires to get out of Congress. 

Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, who up until this month held the powerful position of Appropriations Committee chair, announced in October she would not seek re-election. She has served in the House since 1997. 

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash, who chairs the Energy and Commerce Committee and has served for nearly 20 years, announced in February she would not run for another term. 

And Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., chairman of the House Financial Services Committee who temporarily served as speaker after former Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted in October, announced he will not seek another term in December. 

In total, there are nearly two dozen House Republicans who have announced their retirement from Congress or desire to seek another office. 

How that will impact Speaker Mike Johnson's ability to get legislation passed in the House is still up in the air, but he will likely need to work across the aisle more than he prefers. 

Speaker Mike Johnson will have to work with a historically slim GOP majority after Gallagher's recent resignation from Congress

'After conversations with my family, I have made the decision to resign my position as a member of the House of Representatives for Wisconsin’s Eighth Congressional District, effective April 19, 2024,' Gallagher said in a March statement. However, he resigned later than anticipated to help pass a foreign aid bill over the weekend

Democrats, however, are also hemorrhaging members. 

Currently, there are 25 Democrats that have announced their retirement from Congress or their desire to seek another political office. 

Additionally, complicating the left's vote tally is the tragic case of Rep. Donald Payne Jr., D-N.J., who has reportedly been in a coma and intubated in a New Jersey hospital since April 6. 

His prognosis and return to Washington remain unclear. 

How the slim GOP majority will impact Johnson's hold on power is another cause for concern for the speaker.

Three Republicans have already announced their intentions to back a motion to vacate the speaker, meaning if they follow through with their threats, Johnson will need to rely on Democrats to save his control over the gavel. 

It is unclear if Democrats will be willing to prevent Johnson's removal should it come up for a vote.