11 key lawmakers to watch in the new Congress

WASHINGTON — The incoming Congress brings a new cast of characters to Capitol Hill for the second Donald Trump administration as Republicans officially take control of both chambers on Friday.

The wafer-thin Republican majority in the House, which begins at 219-215, will require near-unanimity to get anything done without Democratic help. That dynamic empowers rank-and-file lawmakers without leadership or committee chair positions, giving an outsize role in the national debate to members in competitive districts, ideologically driven figures and some newly elected freshmen.

Here are 11 key House members to watch in the 119th Congress.

Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas

The ultraconservative congressman has become well-known for his fiery floor speeches, where he usually excoriates the compromises made by Republican leaders. He rarely shies away from voting against a bill that falls short of his high standards. And he’s hungry for a bigger role in the second Trump era. Roy could be a recurring problem for House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Trump.

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky.

Unlike some of his colleagues, the Kentucky libertarian doesn’t take orders from Trump — or care what he thinks. Massie and Roy were among the few House Republicans who did not endorse Trump in last year’s GOP presidential primary, instead backing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Massie has come out early and emphatically against Johnson’s speakership bid, proclaiming that “the emperor has no clothes.”

Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md.

Harris is the chairman of the far-right House Freedom Caucus, making him a vanguard of conservative purity in the new administration. But it remains to be seen how he will use his power. Will Harris be a solid ally of Trump’s and corral conservative votes on the incoming president’s behalf? Or will he lead the bloc of Freedom Caucus votes to pressure Trump from the right on matters like spending and trade, where Trump tends to depart from traditional conservative philosophy?

Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb.

First elected to the House in 2016, Bacon, a retired Air Force brigadier general, has been at the center of several competitive elections to represent Omaha, the so-called “blue dot” in otherwise red Nebraska. Bacon has survived by building his brand as a moderate, defeating challengers from the right and the left. After winning re-election last year by 2 points, Bacon told NBC News that he and a few other moderates will be “a conscience” of the narrow GOP majority.

Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y.

A former political consultant and member of the New York Assembly, Lawler won a hotly contested race in a Democratic-leaning district. He is weighing a run for governor in 2026, recently telling NBC News that his decision will hinge in part on “how we do down here in the first few months, and whether or not we are able to address the challenges facing the American people and New Yorkers.”

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa.

Representing the swingy Philadelphia suburbs, Fitzpatrick has also proven difficult for Democrats to beat, as he has developed a reputation as a moderate and leaned on his experience as an FBI agent. Fitzpatrick was first elected in 2016, succeeding his late brother, and has so far managed to balance his bipartisan image with loyalty to Republican leaders. The next two years will be his biggest test yet.

Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine

Golden is a former Marine veteran who continues to defy political gravity, winning a fourth term last year even as Trump carried his rural 2nd District. Golden has been known to criticize his party and break with his fellow Democrats on key votes. He’ll be motivated to support some Republican-led measures to continue showing his independence. Where he’ll draw the line, though, is unclear.

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash.

Gluesenkamp Perez has similarly called on her party to prioritize rural, working-class voters like those in her southwest Washington district, which Trump won in 2024. Gluesekamp Perez has also been known to break with her party on votes, recently supporting a Trump-backed measure to fund the government.

Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y.

Suozzi returned to the House after winning a special election early in 2024, and saw his Long Island-based district flip from supporting President Joe Biden in 2020 to Trump last year. Suozzi has been vocal that his party should address concerns about border security and immigration, which are top Trump priorities that will divide Washington.

Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas

The 35-year-old Democrat from Austin has taken the reins of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, making him a face of the second Trump resistance as he leads a large contingent of members who include liberal stars like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. In a recent interview with NBC News, Casar faulted his party for falling out of touch with working-class Americans, saying Democrats must craft a new strategy to counter Trump’s cultural battles and maintain a laser focus on wages and voters’ wallets.

Rep.-elect Sarah McBride, D-Del.

McBride will make history as the first openly transgender member of Congress, and she became a top GOP target even before taking office. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., has sought to prevent transgender women like McBride from using women’s bathrooms in the Capitol. McBride called the effort “mean-spirited” and a distraction from policy issues. Democratic leaders want to focus less on culture wars and more on pocketbook issues in the second Trump term, and McBride could play an important role for them in that effort.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com