The 2024 election left Congress divided in ways that reshape how public affairs teams will engage with lawmakers in the coming years. In the House, Republicans retained a narrow majority, while in the Senate Republicans flipped control of that chamber — a dramatic shift from the divided Congress of the previous session.
In the House of Representatives, Republicans hold a slender majority with a 221–215 split
In the Senate, Republicans hold a majority with a 53–47 split (counting independents who caucus with Democrats).
These dynamics set a complex legislative landscape: GOP control of both chambers gives Republican leadership a strong agenda‑setting authority, but narrow margins and intra‑party divisions will shape how, and if, major legislation advances.
Public affairs teams face a fast‑moving environment as they orient themselves to new committee chairs, leadership priorities, and the broader political context of a Republican White House and unified Republican government.
Here’s a look at who’s calling the shots in the 119th Congress.
House Republican Leadership (Majority)
The 119th Congress kept the House under Republican control, with 221 Republican representatives holding the majority. This gives the GOP the power to set the legislative agenda, lead all House committees, and steer the direction of major policy debates — ensuring their priorities shape the chamber’s work.
House Speaker: Mike Johnson (R‑LA). Johnson was re‑elected Speaker at the start of the 119th Congress. He is the 56th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and was elected Speaker faster than any person in history except for John G. Carlisle in 1883.
Key House Republican leaders include:
- Majority Leader: Rep. Steve Scalise (LA‑1). Scalise has been a strong voice in the Republican party, having previously served as minority whip. A computer science graduate and former business professional, Scalise is recognized for his strong advocacy of Louisiana’s energy industry and his ability to unite colleagues across party lines.
- Majority Whip: Rep. Tom Emmer (MN‑6). Emmer, known for his energetic style and quick wit, is responsible for rallying votes and keeping party discipline in the House — a role sometimes called the “herder of cats.” Before Congress, he was a hockey coach and radio host, and he brings that same team spirit and communication savvy to his leadership position.
- House Republican Conference Chair: Rep. Lisa McClain (MI‑9). McClain, the highest-ranking woman in House Republican leadership, is known for her business acumen, bold stances, and energetic advocacy for law enforcement and the digital economy. Fun fact: she was named “Legislator of the Year” by the Major County Sheriffs of America.
- House Republican Leadership Chair: Rep. Elise Stefanik (NY‑21). Stefanik, the youngest woman ever elected to Congress at the time of her first win, is known for her rapid rise in GOP leadership and her role as a key strategist in recruiting and supporting Republican women. As Leadership Chair — the first woman to hold the post — she helps shape party messaging, fosters unity within the conference, and acts as a bridge between rank-and-file members and top leadership.
- Chair of Ways and Means: Rep. Jason Smith (MO‑8). Smith, the youngest Ways and Means Chair since before the Civil War, oversees the House’s oldest and most powerful panel — responsible for all federal tax policy, Social Security, Medicare, and trade.
- Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee: Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY‑2). Guthrie leads one of the House’s most wide-ranging and influential committees, overseeing everything from health care and energy to telecommunications and consumer protection. This committee touches issues that involve nearly every American household.
- Chair of the House Appropriations Committee: Rep. Tom Cole (OK‑4). Cole chairs the powerful committee, which decides how trillions in federal tax dollars are spent across every agency and program. A historian by training and a member of the Chickasaw Nation, Cole is known for his deep respect for Congress’s traditions and for being the first Native American to lead this influential committee.
House Democratic Leadership (Minority)
- Minority Leader: Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (NY‑8). Jeffries, the first Black lawmaker to lead a party in Congress, is known for his sharp oratory, Brooklyn roots, and reputation as a consensus-builder. As Minority Leader, he guides House Democrats’ strategy and messaging, working to unify a diverse caucus and shape the party’s legislative agenda.
- Minority Whip: Rep. Katherine Clark (MA‑5). Clark, the second-highest-ranking Democrat in the House, is known for her advocacy on issues like childcare and gun safety, and for her steady rise through party leadership. As Minority Whip, she’s responsible for rallying Democratic votes and keeping the caucus unified — a role that often makes her the chief vote-counter and behind-the-scenes negotiator for her party.
- House Democratic Caucus Chair: Rep.Pete Aguilar (CA‑33). Aguilar leads the House Democratic Caucus, helping to coordinate strategy, messaging, and unity among Democratic members. Known for his pragmatic approach and focus on immigration and economic issues, Aguilar is the highest-ranking Latino in Congress and plays a key role in shaping the party’s legislative priorities.
Senate Republican Leadership (Majority)
The 119th Congress flipped the Senate to Republican control. With 53 Republican senators now holding the majority, the GOP sets the chamber’s agenda, controls committee leadership, and has the power to advance or block legislation and nominations — marking a significant shift in the balance of power on Capitol Hill.
- Senate Majority Leader: Sen. John Thune (R‑SD) — Thune was elected by the Republican conference to succeed former leader Mitch McConnell. Known for his calm demeanor and knack for building consensus, Thune is a former college basketball player who brings a competitive spirit to the Senate’s top job.
- Majority Whip: Sen. John Barrasso (R‑WY). Barrasso, an orthopedic surgeon by training and the highest-ranking Republican from Wyoming in Senate history, serves as both Majority Whip and Chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee — where he oversees national energy policy, public lands, and natural resources. Known for his expertise in health policy and his steady hand in rallying votes, Barrasso is responsible for keeping the GOP caucus unified, advancing the party’s priorities on the Senate floor, and shaping legislation that impacts America’s energy future.
- Republican Conference Chair: Sen. Tom Cotton (R‑AR). Cotton, a Harvard-educated Army veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, is known for his sharp debating skills and strong national security focus. As Conference Chair, he shapes GOP messaging and strategy in the Senate, helping to unify Republican senators and amplify the party’s voice on key issues.
- Republican Policy Committee Chair: Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R‑WV). Capito, the first woman from West Virginia elected to the U.S. Senate, is known for her pragmatic approach and focus on infrastructure and broadband expansion. As Policy Committee Chair, she helps shape the Senate GOP’s legislative agenda and provides a forum for Republican senators to develop and debate policy ideas.
- Senate Republican Steering Committee Chair: Sen. Tim Scott (R‑SC). Scott, the longest-serving African-American senator in U.S. history, is the first African-American to serve in both the House and Senate and the first to chair a full Senate committee; he leads the panel that shapes GOP policy direction and is known for his optimistic vision, focus on economic opportunity, and talent for building consensus within the Republican caucus.
- President pro tempore: Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA). Grassley, the oldest member of Congress and third in line to the presidency, is known for his legendary work ethic, deep experience, and reputation for holding “Q&A” sessions in all 99 Iowa counties every year—a tradition he’s kept for decades.
- Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee: Sen. Susan Collins (R‑ME). Collins oversees the powerful panel that determines how federal tax dollars are spent across every government agency and program. Known for her pragmatic approach and reputation as a bipartisan dealmaker, Collins is the first woman from Maine to chair this influential committee and is recognized for her pivotal role in shaping major funding decisions that impact Americans nationwide.
- Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee: Sen. Bill Cassidy (R‑LA). HELP oversees health care, education, labor, and retirement policy — shaping laws that affect schools, jobs, and health coverage for millions of Americans. A physician by training, Cassidy is known for his hands-on approach to health policy and his focus on bipartisan solutions to some of the nation’s most pressing challenges.
- Chair of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee: Sen. Ted Cruz (R‑TX). This committee regulates commerce, transportation, science, and technology policy — impacting everything from internet access to airline safety. Known for his sharp debating skills and national profile, Cruz brings a focus on innovation and regulatory reform to one of the Senate’s most influential committees.
Senate Democratic Leadership (Minority)
Despite Democrats losing the majority, their leadership team remains an important voice.
- Minority Leader: Sen. Chuck Schumer (D‑NY). Schumer was re-elected by Senate Democrats to continue leading their caucus after serving as Majority Leader in the previous Congress. Known for his energetic style and relentless advocacy, Schumer is famous for his love of New York bagels and his habit of holding Sunday press conferences on just about any topic — bringing both tenacity and a touch of humor to the Senate’s top Democratic post.
- Minority Whip: Sen. Dick Durbin (D‑IL). Durbin, the Senate’s second-highest-ranking Democrat, is known for his deep experience, steady leadership, and commitment to bipartisan problem-solving. A longtime advocate for immigration reform and health care, Durbin brings a pragmatic approach and a touch of humor to his role as the party’s chief vote-counter and behind-the-scenes negotiator.
- Democratic Steering and Policy Chair: Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D‑MN). Klobuchar was chosen by her colleagues to lead the committee that helps set Democratic policy priorities and assign members to key Senate committees. Known for her practical approach, sharp wit, and Minnesota work ethic, Klobuchar is recognized for her bipartisan accomplishments and her ability to keep the Senate moving — even famously campaigning in a snowstorm.
What This Means for Public Affairs Teams
Congressional engagement in the 119th Congress will differ from the previous session:
- Unified GOP Government: With Republicans controlling the House, Senate, and White House, policy and legislative priorities are more aligned at the start of this term.
- Narrow Majorities: Slim margins mean leadership must navigate intra‑party factions to advance bills — especially in the House, where a few defections could stall leadership initiatives.
- Changing Committee Chairs: New chairs like Brett Guthrie on Energy & Commerce signal fresh priorities and new points of access or advocacy.
Understanding who holds key gavel positions helps public affairs teams target outreach, shape messaging, and anticipate policy opportunities.
