House swears in newest Democrat

By Meredith Lee Hill | 04/21/2026 06:29 AM EDT

Analilia Mejia won a special election in New Jersey last week.

Analilia Mejia is seen.

Rep.-elect Analilia Mejia (D-N.J.) is seen shortly before being sworn in as a new House member at the Capitol on Monday. Francis Chung/POLITICO

Democrat Analilia Mejia is the newest member of the House, sworn in Monday evening by Speaker Mike Johnson after winning a special election in New Jersey last week.

The move narrows Johnson’s majority to 217-214-1, meaning the GOP can afford no more than one defection on a party-line vote. But GOP leaders are confident they will gain a little more breathing room later this week.

The House Ethics Committee is set to render judgment on Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) on Tuesday, and Republicans granted anonymity to discuss internal conversations expect her to be expelled as soon as Wednesday.

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