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Johnson gives Dems extra House Intel seat to get Stefanik back on
Source: Axios
11 hours ago
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) finally settled on how to get Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) back on the House Intelligence Committee: Give Democrats an extra seat on the panel in order to make space for her.
Why it matters: Stefanik was becoming a thorn in Johnson's side, criticizing him in public after she gave up her seat on the panel to pursue her now-withdrawn nomination for U.N. ambassador.
Stefanik also had to give up her chairmanship of the House Republican conference, with Johnson creating a new, largely symbolic "chair of House Republican leadership" title for her after her nomination was withdrawn. Stefanik has openly flirted with a run for New York governor in 2026, rather than running for reelection.
Driving the news: The House modified its rules Monday to expand the committee from 25 to 27 seats, with Stefanik becoming the second most senior Republican after chair Rick Crawford (R-Ark.).
Read more: https://www.axios.com/2025/06/06/elise-stefanik-intelligence-committee-johnson