Keeping McCarthy in check easier with narrow GOP majority: Freedom Caucus member

A member of the House Freedom Caucus says his group will have ample oversight of Kevin McCarthy this year given the narrow GOP majority in the House in the 118th Congress.

"Kevin is aware that any legislation he would like to pass out of this House will require support and endorsement from the Freedom Caucus," Nehls said on the House floor. "This is where I believe we can hold the speaker accountable." Pete Kasperowicz is a politics editor at Fox News Digital.

When members are finally sworn in, Republicans will hold a narrow majority of just a few seats – bills can pass with a 218 majority with every member present, and Republicans hold just 222 seats, which means they can lose only four votes. The unsuccessful GOP effort to elect McCarthy as House speaker this week has shown just how difficult passing legislation might be this year, and Nehls said the HFC would continue to exert pressure on GOP leadership once the work of legislating begins.