Analyses / Whip Count Analysis / 119 · HRES 789 Whip Count Analysis

119-HRES-789 DC Insider Whip Count Analysis

119 · HRES 789 Expressing support for the recognition of Christopher Columbus and his impact on the Italian-American community, and recognizing the second Monday in October as "Columbus Day".

settings Government Operations and Politics

H.Res. 789 is a symbolic, House-only resolution. With a narrow but unified GOP majority controlling the floor, leadership can pass it on a simple-majority rule once the House returns from the shutdown-driven district work period. Expect near party-line support: Republicans broadly yes; Democrats largely no with a handful of Italian‑American Democrats as potential crossovers; 1–3 libertarian/process‑minded Republicans could register no/present. Passage likelihood: high. [1]Library of Congress — Text of H.Res.789 (119th Congress) on Congress.gov[2]Associated Press — AP: 119th Congress opens; Mike Johnson reelected Speaker[3]Wikipedia — 119th United States Congress (party balance summary)[4]Office of the Clerk, U.S. House — House Clerk: Floor activity noting Oct 7–13,…

Analyzed as
DC Insider
Published
07 Oct 2025
Updated
08 Oct 2025
Tags
whipcount · House simple resolution · symbolic vote
Vetted
01 · Section

Breakdown: expected support/opposition by party and caucus

Scope: H.Res. 789 is a House simple resolution affirming observance of Columbus Day and Italian‑American contributions; it was introduced October 6, 2025 and referred to Oversight and Government Reform. Simple resolutions are House‑only and do not require Senate or presidential action. [1]Library of Congress — Text of H.Res.789 (119th Congress) on Congress.gov[5]House.gov — Bills & Resolutions (House explanation of simple resolutions)

  • Republicans: Strong “yes” tendency. The sponsor slate is entirely GOP and mirrors prior Congress patterns where the Columbus Day resolution was also GOP‑led. Expect near‑conference support, with possible 1–3 no/present from members who routinely oppose symbolic/sense resolutions. [1]Library of Congress — Text of H.Res.789 (119th Congress) on Congress.gov[6]Library of Congress — H.Res. 764 (118th): Columbus Day resolution (prior Congre…[7]CNN Politics — CNN: 14 House Republicans voted against making Juneteenth a fede…[8]Newsweek — Newsweek: Massie the lone GOP ‘no’ on anti‑antisemitism measure (exa…
  • Democrats: Expect mostly “no.” The caucus has prominent support for replacing/renaming Columbus Day (e.g., Indigenous Peoples’ Day Act) and national advocacy from Native organizations; however, a handful of Italian‑American Democrats could cross over or vote present. [9]Library of Congress — H.R. 5822 (118th): Indigenous Peoples’ Day Act (replace C…[10]Pew Research Center — Pew: Which states observe Columbus Day or Indigenous Peop…[11]National Congress of American Indians — NCAI: Celebrating the second Monday in…
  • House control/context: GOP holds a narrow majority; Johnson is Speaker. Expect leadership to frame this as a values/heritage vote. [2]Associated Press — AP: 119th Congress opens; Mike Johnson reelected Speaker[3]Wikipedia — 119th United States Congress (party balance summary)
  • Chamber timing signal: The House designated Oct 7–13, 2025 as a district work period amid the shutdown; leadership canceled votes for that week, so floor action would slide until the House reconvenes. [4]Office of the Clerk, U.S. House — House Clerk: Floor activity noting Oct 7–13,…[12]Axios — Axios: House cancels votes during shutdown; district work period Oct 7–…
02 · Section

Key legislators and likely swing votes

Pivotal members are those with either (a) demonstrated objection to symbolic votes or (b) visible ties to Italian‑American constituencies/caucuses.

  • Rep. Thomas Massie (R‑KY): Regularly bucks symbolic/sense resolutions (e.g., Juneteenth holiday; various condemnations). Potential no/present on process grounds even if the measure is purely symbolic. [7]CNN Politics — CNN: 14 House Republicans voted against making Juneteenth a fede…[8]Newsweek — Newsweek: Massie the lone GOP ‘no’ on anti‑antisemitism measure (exa…
  • Rep. Chip Roy (R‑TX): Previously voted against creating the Juneteenth federal holiday; could object to messaging votes, though not certain here. [7]CNN Politics — CNN: 14 House Republicans voted against making Juneteenth a fede…
  • Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D‑CT): Italian‑American leader now co‑chair of the Italian American Congressional Delegation; has publicly opposed substituting Indigenous Peoples’ Day for Columbus Day even while supporting removing a Columbus statue. Possible present/yes. [13]Office of Rep. Rosa DeLauro — DeLauro selected as Co‑Chair of Italian American…[14]CTPost — Rosa DeLauro op‑ed: why I supported taking down the Columbus statue (b…
  • Rep. Tom Suozzi (D‑NY): High‑profile Italian‑American, leads/helps lead Italian‑American caucus efforts; regularly appears at Columbus Day events and led related heritage month measures. Possible Dem crossover. [15]Office of Rep. Tom Suozzi — Suozzi: Bipartisan resolution celebrating Italian &…[16]LegiStorm (press repost) — Suozzi press: marched in Columbus Day parades; celeb…
  • Sponsor bloc (e.g., Reps. Garbarino, Malliotakis, LaLota, Tenney, Van Drew, LaMalfa, Rulli, Fleischmann): Already on the resolution; they anchor GOP yes votes and help message among Northeast/Italian‑American constituencies. [1]Library of Congress — Text of H.Res.789 (119th Congress) on Congress.gov
  • Progressive Democrats (e.g., caucus members who backed the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Act): Likely no, consistent with prior bill positions and broader state/local trends. [9]Library of Congress — H.R. 5822 (118th): Indigenous Peoples’ Day Act (replace C…[10]Pew Research Center — Pew: Which states observe Columbus Day or Indigenous Peop…
03 · Section

Leadership influence and procedural dynamics

This is a message vote. With GOP control, leadership can move it quickly once floor time opens.

  • Gatekeepers: Speaker Mike Johnson and the Rules Committee control floor access; they can bring H.Res. 789 up under a special rule for a simple‑majority passage. Oversight Chair James Comer has nominal jurisdiction on referral, but leadership can bypass a markup if desired. [2]Associated Press — AP: 119th Congress opens; Mike Johnson reelected Speaker[17]Congressional Research Service — CRS: Special Rules in the House (purpose and c…[18]House Oversight (Rep. James Comer) — Comer to return as Chair of Oversight for…
  • Not a suspension candidate: Given polarized Dem attitudes on Columbus/Indigenous Peoples’ Day, two‑thirds under “suspension” is unnecessary risk; a rule is the cleaner path. [19]Congressional Research Service — CRS: Suspension of the Rules (House practice)
  • Calendar reality: The House is in an Oct 7–13 district work period due to the shutdown; expect earliest movement when the House reconvenes, potentially timed near/after the federal Columbus Day holiday (Monday, Oct 13, 2025). [4]Office of the Clerk, U.S. House — House Clerk: Floor activity noting Oct 7–13,…[12]Axios — Axios: House cancels votes during shutdown; district work period Oct 7–…[20]U.S. Courts (2nd Cir.) — Federal Holidays 2025 (Second Circuit courts calendar)
  • Institutional note: As a simple resolution, no Senate/presidential action is needed; it’s purely an expression of the House. [5]House.gov — Bills & Resolutions (House explanation of simple resolutions)
  • Committee math (if used): Oversight’s ratio (26R–21D) favors a clean report if leadership opts for markup. [21]Congressional Research Service — CRS: House Committee Party Ratios, 119th Congr…
04 · Section

Assessment: path to passage and confidence

Bottom line: once scheduled under a rule, H.Res. 789 should pass on a near party‑line vote.

Expected Republican votes (yes)
214to 218
Expected Democratic votes (yes/present)
0to 5
Likely total affirmative votes
218to 225
Passage threshold (simple majority of those voting)
1simple majority
  • Likelihood of passage: High. Unified GOP leadership, friendly committee of referral, and House‑only scope make this low‑risk for the majority. [2]Associated Press — AP: 119th Congress opens; Mike Johnson reelected Speaker[18]House Oversight (Rep. James Comer) — Comer to return as Chair of Oversight for…
  • Primary risks: floor time competition during/after a shutdown; potential GOP absences; minor defections from process‑focused conservatives. [12]Axios — Axios: House cancels votes during shutdown; district work period Oct 7–…
  • Messaging environment: Italian‑American groups (e.g., OSDIA; NIAF) are vocally supportive; Native advocacy (e.g., NCAI) underpins Dem resistance and state/local shifts toward Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Expect partisan framing accordingly. [22]OSDIA — Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America (advocacy hub)[23]ANSA English — ANSA: NIAF hails Trump move to ‘bring back’ Columbus Day[11]National Congress of American Indians — NCAI: Celebrating the second Monday in…[10]Pew Research Center — Pew: Which states observe Columbus Day or Indigenous Peop…
05 · Section

Sourcing (key claims and references)

Selected source anchors for this whipcount.

  • Measure text/status: H.Res. 789 (119th) — introduced Oct 6, 2025; referred to Oversight & Government Reform. [1]Library of Congress — Text of H.Res.789 (119th Congress) on Congress.gov
  • House control/leadership context: GOP narrow majority; Johnson Speaker. [2]Associated Press — AP: 119th Congress opens; Mike Johnson reelected Speaker[3]Wikipedia — 119th United States Congress (party balance summary)
  • Shutdown/district work period timing: House floor noted Oct 7–13 district work period; votes canceled that week. [4]Office of the Clerk, U.S. House — House Clerk: Floor activity noting Oct 7–13,…[12]Axios — Axios: House cancels votes during shutdown; district work period Oct 7–…
  • Jurisdiction/committee leadership: James Comer to continue as Oversight chair in the 119th. [18]House Oversight (Rep. James Comer) — Comer to return as Chair of Oversight for…
  • House procedure: simple resolutions; special rules; suspensions. [5]House.gov — Bills & Resolutions (House explanation of simple resolutions)[17]Congressional Research Service — CRS: Special Rules in the House (purpose and c…[19]Congressional Research Service — CRS: Suspension of the Rules (House practice)
  • Federal holiday fact base: Columbus Day is a federal holiday; 2025 date is Monday, Oct 13. [24]U.S. Office of Personnel Management — OPM: Federal Holidays (Columbus Day liste…[20]U.S. Courts (2nd Cir.) — Federal Holidays 2025 (Second Circuit courts calendar)
  • Caucus/interest group positioning: Indigenous Peoples’ Day Act; NCAI advocacy; Italian‑American advocacy (OSDIA, NIAF). [9]Library of Congress — H.R. 5822 (118th): Indigenous Peoples’ Day Act (replace C…[11]National Congress of American Indians — NCAI: Celebrating the second Monday in…[22]OSDIA — Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America (advocacy hub)[23]ANSA English — ANSA: NIAF hails Trump move to ‘bring back’ Columbus Day
  • Potential swing evidence: DeLauro’s IACD leadership and Columbus Day stance; Suozzi’s Italian‑American leadership/Columbus Day participation; GOP process dissenters’ records. [13]Office of Rep. Rosa DeLauro — DeLauro selected as Co‑Chair of Italian American…[14]CTPost — Rosa DeLauro op‑ed: why I supported taking down the Columbus statue (b…[15]Office of Rep. Tom Suozzi — Suozzi: Bipartisan resolution celebrating Italian &…[16]LegiStorm (press repost) — Suozzi press: marched in Columbus Day parades; celeb…[7]CNN Politics — CNN: 14 House Republicans voted against making Juneteenth a fede…[8]Newsweek — Newsweek: Massie the lone GOP ‘no’ on anti‑antisemitism measure (exa…
Sources cited
  1. [1] Text of H.Res.789 (119th Congress) on Congress.gov Library of Congress
  2. [2] AP: 119th Congress opens; Mike Johnson reelected Speaker Associated Press
  3. [3] 119th United States Congress (party balance summary) Wikipedia
  4. [4] House Clerk: Floor activity noting Oct 7–13, 2025 district work period Office of the Clerk, U.S. House
  5. [5] Bills & Resolutions (House explanation of simple resolutions) House.gov
  6. [6] H.Res. 764 (118th): Columbus Day resolution (prior Congress) Library of Congress
  7. [7] CNN: 14 House Republicans voted against making Juneteenth a federal holiday CNN Politics
  8. [8] Newsweek: Massie the lone GOP ‘no’ on anti‑antisemitism measure (example of symbolic‑vote dissent) Newsweek
  9. [9] H.R. 5822 (118th): Indigenous Peoples’ Day Act (replace Columbus Day) Library of Congress
  10. [10] Pew: Which states observe Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day? Pew Research Center
  11. [11] NCAI: Celebrating the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day National Congress of American Indians
  12. [12] Axios: House cancels votes during shutdown; district work period Oct 7–13, 2025 Axios
  13. [13] DeLauro selected as Co‑Chair of Italian American Congressional Delegation Office of Rep. Rosa DeLauro
  14. [14] Rosa DeLauro op‑ed: why I supported taking down the Columbus statue (but not substituting the holiday) CTPost
  15. [15] Suozzi: Bipartisan resolution celebrating Italian & Italian‑American Heritage Month Office of Rep. Tom Suozzi
  16. [16] Suozzi press: marched in Columbus Day parades; celebrates Italian heritage LegiStorm (press repost)
  17. [17] CRS: Special Rules in the House (purpose and content) Congressional Research Service
  18. [18] Comer to return as Chair of Oversight for the 119th Congress House Oversight (Rep. James Comer)
  19. [19] CRS: Suspension of the Rules (House practice) Congressional Research Service
  20. [20] Federal Holidays 2025 (Second Circuit courts calendar) U.S. Courts (2nd Cir.)
  21. [21] CRS: House Committee Party Ratios, 119th Congress (Oversight 26–21) Congressional Research Service
  22. [22] Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America (advocacy hub) OSDIA
  23. [23] ANSA: NIAF hails Trump move to ‘bring back’ Columbus Day ANSA English
  24. [24] OPM: Federal Holidays (Columbus Day listed) U.S. Office of Personnel Management

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