The House needs a speaker in place to certify the results of the 2024 election, meaning a necessary part of President-elect Donald J. Trump’s return to office would be delayed. Credit…Eric Lee/The New York Times

Congress is charged with certifying the results of the presidential election, and lawmakers meet every four years on Jan. 6 to count the electoral votes and announce the winner.

If the House does not have a speaker this year by that date — which is Monday — it cannot meet for the constitutionally mandated joint session to certify the results of the 2024 election. That would delay a necessary element of President-elect Donald J. Trump’s return to office.

In addition, Mr. Trump has an ambitious legislative agenda, and Republican congressional leaders have made it clear they want to move quickly to begin working on it. But without a speaker, they would be unable to consider any bills or even swear in any members. The House would essentially be rendered a useless entity, as it was in early 2023, until the speaker election is settled.