votes but with only 76% of the votes in. The two faced off in 2022, when Gray lost by less than 600 votes: therefore, consider this race a toss-up. California’s 45th Congressional District,


between GOP incumbent Rep. Michelle Steel and Democrat Derek Tran is remark- ably close. Steel is ahead by 349 votes with 89% of the vote being in. Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, the


race between Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Democrat Christina Bohannan is a rematch of the 2022 contest. The 2024 election is close, with Mill- er-Meeks leading by 802 votes with 99% of the vote counted.


House Republicans backed Speaker


Mike Johnson to lead for another two years as they voted in a leadership election on Wednesday just as they secured majority control of the lower chamber for another two years. Republicans voted to return Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, both from Louisiana, to their posi- tion in the next Congress, which begins in January.


CABINET PICKS President-elect Trump is now moving to fill out his Cabinet with picks that will have to clear a simple majority in the Republican-held Senate. In true Trump form, some of his picks on their appearance seem to be extreme but in reality it is clear that after a first term where certain Cabinet members actually opposed him, this time around he is looking for loyalists. Because of this dynamic, there will likely be a rocky road ahead for some of the proposed picks, namely Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services and Pete Hegseth for Defense. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz had to withdraw his name after significant opposition from Republican Senators. For the landscape industry we are


very optimistic with picks at Homeland Security (Kristi Noem) who has support- ed the H-2B program and also at Labor where (Lori Chavez) who signed letters in support of the program when she was a U.S. Representative from Washington state. It will be fascinating to watch these


confirmations over the coming weeks with all eyes on three Senators that look to depart from Trump, as they have his- torically not agreed with Trump ideolog- ically and do not fear his political wrath due to strong support in their home state. Those Senators are Collins (R-ME), Murkowski (R-AK) and McConnell (R-KY).


It will only take four to tank a nominee on the Senate floor so just like the House, the margin for error in the Senate will likely rely on how these Senators act.


REPUBLICAN TRIFECTA POTENTIAL PUSHBACK Come January, Republicans will hold a “trifecta,” controlling the presidency plus both chambers of Congress. President- elect Donald Trump’s dream came true when Republicans swept control of the House and Senate in the 2024 election, setting up a favorable path for his legislative agenda. But he could receive pushback from a minority of members in his own party, who will likely seek to poke holes in his long to-do list. Fault lines within the Republican Party will ultimately decide just how much of Trump’s agenda will be codified into law. The moderates, ultra-conservatives, and anti-Trump are set to be his biggest resistance in the Republican party during this upcoming 119th Congress. Vulnerable House Republicans who won in tight races this year, including Represen- tatives Don Bacon of Nebraska, Michael Lawler of New York, and David Valadao of California, were critical to the party retain- ing control of the House. Those lawmakers will likely take a more moderate policy approach against Trump’s more partisan agenda as they eye the 2026 midterms - when all House seats are up for reelection and the party in power historically has faced defeat. The Senate will also be a fertile ground


for conflict, particularly as some lawmakers take on new roles. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), who voted to convict Trump in


his 2021 impeachment trial in the Senate and refused to endorse his presidential bids, could potentially head the Senate Appropriations Committee and could slow or stop many of the funding demands that Trump has. Collins, Murkowski, and Cassidy have been outspoken on Trump, previously blasting his anti-immigration rhetoric. Murkowski has also expressed strong support for codifying Roe v. Wade, which directly clashes with Trump’s view that abortion regulation should be left up to the states. TE


Fault lines within the Republican Party will ultimately decide just how much of Trump’s agenda will be codified into law. The moderates, ultra-conservatives, and anti- Trump are set to be his biggest resistance in the Republican party during this upcoming 119th Congress.


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