The Daily: Republicans Take Control of Congress — and Harris Certifies Her Own Loss

Release Date: January 7, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Daily by The New York Times, hosts Michael Barbaro and Julian Barnes explore the seismic shift in American politics as Republicans gain control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Titled "Republicans Take Control of Congress — and Harris Certifies Her Own Loss," the episode delves into the implications of this takeover, the internal dynamics within the Republican Party, and the broader impact on the nation's legislative landscape.

Certification of the Presidential Election

The episode begins with Julian Barnes providing context on the formal process of certifying electoral votes. He emphasizes the significance of Vice President Kamala Harris overseeing the ceremony where Congress, under Republican control, officially certifies the election results. Barnes remarks, “If the New York Times was not reporting these stories, some of them might never come to light” ([00:00]), highlighting the crucial role of journalism in democratic processes.

Barnes details the atmosphere during the certification, noting, “It was a pretty stark scene… as one by one lawmakers stand up and they are announcing the states that she won as a presidential candidate, but they're also announcing the states that she lost” ([02:43]). This certification marked a historic moment as Harris formally acknowledged Donald Trump's victory, solidifying the peaceful transfer of power.

Republican Leadership Struggles in the House

Michael Barbaro shifts the conversation to the internal conflicts within the newly Republican-controlled House. He introduces the central figure of the episode, Speaker Mike Johnson, and the challenges he faces from ultra-conservative members of his party. Barnes explains, “there are some pretty raw divisions within the House Republican Conference that are likely going to animate this Congress moving forward” ([04:37]).

The struggle culminated in the contentious election of Speaker Johnson. Barnes narrates the tense proceedings on the House floor, where several Republican members, including Representative Andy Biggs of Arizona, initially refused to acknowledge their votes, signaling deep dissent ([07:40]). This defiance underscored the fragility of Johnson’s support within his own party.

Intervention by Former President Trump

As Speaker Johnson grappled with securing enough votes, former President Donald Trump intervened directly. Barnes recounts, “His message was, look, Mike is the only guy who has the votes to become speaker” ([11:06]). This intervention was pivotal in persuading holdout Republicans, Keith Self of Texas and Ralph Norman of South Carolina, to support Johnson. Despite their reservations, these members conceded, allowing Johnson to secure the speakership.

However, only minutes after Johnson's election, the House Freedom Caucus issued a public letter expressing their conditional support: “We voted for Mike Johnson for Speaker of the House because of our steadfast support of President Trump… despite our sincere reservations regarding the Speaker's track record” ([13:46]). This letter signaled ongoing tensions and set the stage for future conflicts within the Republican majority.

Implications for the Republican Legislative Agenda

Barnes and Barbaro discuss the ambitious legislative agenda Republicans aim to pursue under their new control. They highlight key priorities such as raising the debt limit, enacting deep spending cuts, extending the 2017 tax cuts, and implementing stringent immigration reforms. Barnes outlines the complexity of this agenda: “How do you implement all these policies that are going to cost a lot of money while cutting a bunch of programs” ([27:27]).

The hosts analyze the strategic use of budget reconciliation, a parliamentary procedure that allows passage of budget-related bills with a simple majority in the Senate. Barnes warns of the inherent challenges: “this essentially becomes sort of a seesaw from hell” ([26:54]), emphasizing the difficulty in balancing expansive policy goals with fiscal restraint.

Senate Leadership Transition

Shifting focus to the Senate, the episode highlights the leadership transition from Mitch McConnell to Senator John Thune of South Dakota. Barnes explains, “Senate Majority Leader soon… he is going to be the question of this Congress” ([22:07]). Unlike the House, where leadership battles were public and contentious, the Senate's selection process was more subdued, conducted via secret ballot.

Barnes contrasts Thune’s leadership with that of his challenger, Senator Rick Scott of Florida, a staunch MAGA supporter. He notes, “Thune was seen as an institutionalist... someone who wanted to guard the Senate's independence as an institution” ([21:28]). This choice reflects the Senate's preference for stability and continuity over overt political alignment with Trump.

Future Prospects and Challenges

The episode concludes with a forward-looking analysis of how the Republican-controlled Congress and President Trump might interact. Barnes posits that while Republicans hold significant power, internal divisions and high expectations could impede legislative progress. He states, “If he doesn't deliver for especially these conservative fiscal House Republicans, they may decide one day to wake up and toss him out” ([17:45]), suggesting that Speaker Johnson’s leadership will be continually tested.

Additionally, Barnes reflects on the historical context, contrasting the chaos of January 6th with the current orderly certification, and the surprising turnaround in voter sentiment favoring Trump after initial resistance within the party: “it's a remarkable turnabout” ([29:20]).

Notable Quotes

• Julian Barnes on the role of journalism: “If the New York Times was not reporting these stories, some of them might never come to light.” ([00:00])

• Barnes on Speaker Johnson’s challenges: “there are some pretty raw divisions within the House Republican Conference that are likely going to animate this Congress moving forward.” ([04:37])

• Former President Trump’s intervention: “Mike is the only guy who has the votes to become speaker.” ([11:06])

• Freedom Caucus' conditional support: “We voted for Mike Johnson for Speaker of the House because of our steadfast support of President Trump… despite our sincere reservations regarding the Speaker's track record.” ([13:46])

• Barnes on legislative challenges: “How do you implement all these policies that are going to cost a lot of money while cutting a bunch of programs.” ([27:27])

• On Senate leadership: “Thune was seen as an institutionalist... someone who wanted to guard the Senate's independence as an institution.” ([21:28])

• On Speaker Johnson’s precarious position: “If he doesn't deliver for especially these conservative fiscal House Republicans, they may decide one day to wake up and toss him out.” ([17:45])

• Reflecting on political shifts: “it's a remarkable turnabout.” ([29:20])

Conclusion

This episode of The Daily offers a comprehensive examination of the Republican ascendancy in Congress and the multifaceted challenges that lie ahead. Through nuanced discussions and insightful commentary, Michael Barbaro and Julian Barnes illuminate the intricate power dynamics, legislative hurdles, and the evolving relationship between the Republican leadership and former President Trump. As the new Congress embarks on its legislative journey, the episode provides listeners with a profound understanding of the potential trajectories and obstacles shaping the future of American politics.