WASHINGTON (TNND) — The 118th Congress is one of the least productive sessions in recent history. According to the Congressional Archives, only 209 bills were signed into law, significantly below the average of 372 since 2000.

The divided government may have contributed to the low productivity, with Republicans controlling the House while Democrats led the Senate and the White House. Additionally, internal party conflicts, such as Kevin McCarthy losing the speakership—a position he initially secured after four days and 15 rounds of voting—further hindered legislative progress.

As the 119th Congress begins, questions loom about its potential productivity. Republicans now hold a federal government trifecta, controlling the House, Senate, and White House, theoretically easing the passage of bills. They control 53 Senate seats, but the House majority is slim, with Republicans holding just five more seats than Democrats. However, following Matt Gaetz's resignation, the Republican majority currently stands at 219.

House Republicans must maintain unity to surpass the productivity of the previous session. President-elect Donald Trump supports House Speaker Mike Johnson, but not all Republicans are aligned. Congressman Thomas Massie has expressed his intent not to vote for Johnson due to disagreements over recent spending measures.

I respect and support President Trump, but his endorsement of Mike Johnson is going to work out about as well as his endorsement of Speaker Paul Ryan. We’ve seen Johnson partner with the democrats to send money to Ukraine, authorize spying on Americans, and blow the budget, Massie posted on X.

Johnson requires 218 votes to secure his position if all members are present and voting which means he cannot afford to lose another Republican. vote

The Speaker of the House does not need to be a member of Congress, as the Constitution does not specify qualifications for the role. In 1969, the Supreme Court ruled that the House cannot impose additional qualifications beyond those in the Constitution. Senator Rand Paul has even suggested Elon Musk for the position, though an outsider has never held the role before.

The Speaker of the House need not be a member of Congress . . . Nothing would disrupt the swamp more than electing Elon Musk . . . think about it . . . nothing’s impossible. (not to mention the joy at seeing the collective establishment, aka ‘uniparty,’ lose their ever-lovin’ minds)