Republicans finally have full conference
House Republicans celebrated a major victory this week, working with a full conference for the first time since they were sworn into office in January of this year.
Thanks to the results of a Florida special election, newly elected Reps. Randy Fine (R-FL) and Jimmy Patronis (R-FL) both won their seats in the state's 6th and 1st congressional districts, Fox News reported.
The lawmakers support the Republican majority in the House of Representatives by a wide margin, which is just one of the many ways they support their party.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has had to spend his time in office contending with the smallest of majorities, down to even a one-vote margin since the start of the 119th Congress.
From the lawmakers
In interviews with Fox News Digital, both lawmakers pledged to work together to advance President Donald Trump's agenda, a positive development for House GOP leaders amid divisions on government spending.
"We do not need the team to fight within itself. Everyone's got to keep their eye on the prize," Fine said.
"How do we make Speaker Johnson successful? And when we do that, how do we make President Trump successful? My focus is helping the team be successful. That will help my constituents. That will help Florida. That will help the country."
Military concerns
Patronis, who until recently was Florida's chief financial officer, is particularly interested in the military.
The state's 1st Congressional District was previously represented by former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who resigned after being nominated for Attorney General, and remains heavily populated with a military presence from multiple branches of the armed forces.
Under Patronis's watch, his agency will be "doing everything we can" to ensure that military bases can "protect our nation" according to the newly minted lawmaker, who also promised to pay special attention to veterans hospitals.
"It's really allowed those vets to seek services in their own community instead of traveling out of state," he said, promising to get the facilities back on track.
On DOGE
Patronis implied his support for DOGE's mission of increasing government spending transparency, though he did not name DOGE in his comments.
"I'm a big believer that the citizens of the state of Florida spend their money better, a heck of a lot better, than Washington, D.C., does," Patronis said. "I like being a watchdog. … I like to ensure that that transparency is the norm, that we have, you know, a public that is informed and aware how their tax dollars are being used."
When questioned about the items on his agenda, Fine mostly referred the question to the president.
"The big agenda item for me is gonna make sure we get President Trump's agenda passed. Look, it's a narrow majority, and you have to support the team captain," Fine said.