While the focus has been on the presidential contest between Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump, the outcome of the election this week could be consequential for the current leadership of the House of Representatives. With a razor-thin majority in the House currently held by Republicans, the outcome of who controls the House may not be entirely clear the day after the election.

Most of the time, when one party flips control of the House, the leadership team of both parties essentially trade places, holding the corresponding position as a member of either the majority or the minority. However, if Republicans lose the majority, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) are expected to face serious challenges from Republican colleagues. Republicans have tentatively scheduled their leadership elections for Nov. 14, and either Johnson or Scalise or both could end up as casualties if House Democrats regain the majority.