WASHINGTON, Jan 3: The Democrats with fewer seats in the new House of Representatives managed to get Nancy Pelosi re-elected on Sunday as the Speaker for the fourth non-consecutive term with 216 to Republican Kevin McCarthy's (California) 209 votes, the smallest majority in two decades.

There were some absences and two vacancies in the 435-member House. Pelosi had five defections. Last time she won by 220-192 over McCarthy, who will continue as the minority leader. Nancy Pelosi represents California.

Sunday was the swearing-in day for the 117th Congress. There were special arrangements for voting in view of the coronavirus pandemic. Pelosi administered the oath of office to members in groups unlike en masse in normal times.

Senators elected in November (two-third) were also sworn in. Republican David Perdue's seat was vacant as his term ended and the election for the seat from Georgia has moved into a runoff stage. He is challenged by Democratic Jon Ossoff in the runoff on Tuesday. Senator Kelly Loeffler also faces the runoff but she holds the seat as the term continues. She faces Raphael Warnock in the runoff.

These two seats are going to decide the Senate majority and thereby the fate of Biden's agenda for the new presidential term.

At the time of swearing-in on Sunday, the Republican Senators were 51 and Democrats 48. If the Democrats win the Georgia runoffs (Kelly Loeffler losing), the strength will be 50-50. Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris can give the tiebreaking vote, giving the Democrats the majority needed to go ahead with their agenda.