House Speaker Mike Johnson received enough votes Friday afternoon to secure the gavel and was re-elected in a close vote by House Republicans.
Johnson technically won the vote for speaker on the first ballot of the 119th Congress.
In the first round of voting, six members initially decided not to vote and remained silent when their names were first called. Three other members voted for another Republican to be chair, falling two votes short of the required 218 votes.
Sens. Andy Biggs and Paul Gosar of Arizona, Michael Cloud of Texas, Andrew Clyde of Georgia, Andy Harris of Maryland, and Chip Roy of Texas will vote on their first votes. When they were first called inside, everyone was silent. After being called again, Roy said he would vote for Johnson. Later, Gosar also voted for Johnson.
Johnson before voting said Asked by reporters if he thought he would get enough votes in the first round, he said: “I think so.”
BREAKING: Rep. Chip Roy will abstain from voting. pic.twitter.com/hBvAb7eos0
— Resist the MS (@ResisttheMS) January 3, 2025
Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie voted for Majority Whip Tom Emmer to be the next speaker, and South Carolina Representative Ralph Norman originally voted for Ohio Representative Jim Jordan. Texas Congressman Keith Self voted for Florida Congressman Byron Donald.
Mike Johnson has declared that he believes he has the votes to be elected Speaker of the House on the first ballot. pic.twitter.com/gH2IgOaA1U
— Trending Politics (@tpbreaking) January 3, 2025
Prior to the vote, Mr Johnson tweeted He promised to take several steps as chairman.
- Create a working group of independent experts, uncorrupted by lobbyists and special interests, to work with DOGE and our partners to implement government-recommended reforms and spending reforms to protect American taxpayers. Work with committees.
- I am tasking that working group with reviewing existing audits of federal agencies and entities prepared by Congress and issuing a report to my office for public disclosure.
- Requests House committees will work proactively, including by providing additional resources as needed, to expose irresponsible or illegal conduct and to hold accountable government agencies and individuals who weaponize the government against the American people. Undertook a review of regulatory approvals and expenditures.
The American people are demanding a break from the status quo and a return to fiscal health. That’s why our people gave President Trump the White House and Republican control of both houses of Congress. If we don’t fulfill our campaign promises…
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) January 3, 2025
Mr Johnson has needed to regain the trust of several members of his own party after perhaps mishandling the government shutdown fight in early December. Mr Johnson needed 218 votes to win the Speaker’s election, meaning he only needed to lose two votes to keep his job. Although Johnson had the support of all House Republican leaders, some members said he needed to make more promises to win votes.
Despite the backlash against the 1,574-page continuing resolution, which kept the government afloat until March 14 and was filled with spending that many considered unnecessary, President-elect Donald Trump sided with Johnson. On Friday morning, ahead of the vote, Mr. Trump posted on Truth Social, reaffirming his support for Mr. Johnson and wishing him the best. (Related: President Trump supports Mike Johnson for Speaker of the House)
Thank you, President Trump!
Today is a new day for America.
Congressional Republicans must remain united to quickly implement President Trump’s America First policies.
Let’s do it. pic.twitter.com/I0tjr7nMhE
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) January 3, 2025
Massey was the only Republican who said ahead of the vote that he would never vote for Johnson. On December 18, he opposed Johnson’s continued appointment as speaker and vowed to vote for another candidate. Even with President Trump’s support, Massey further pushed for the decision. (Related: Mike Johnson remains in danger as some House Republicans remain unconvinced after endorsing Trump)
I respect and support President Trump, but I think his support for Mike Johnson will fare just as well as his support for Speaker of the House Paul Ryan. We’ve seen Johnson work with Democrats to send money to Ukraine, authorize spying on Americans, and deplete the budget. pic.twitter.com/6Y7GAkcBzJ
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) December 30, 2024
How you voted. pic.twitter.com/DT0SJVt6eD
— Tim Burchett (@timburchett) January 3, 2025
Other House Republicans who were largely silent about their support for Johnson before the vote but who supported him in their initial votes include Rep. Victoria Spartz of Indiana, Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee, and Rep. Tim Burchett of Missouri. They included Congressman Eric Burleson and Tennessee Congressman Andy Ogles. and Florida Congressman Greg Steube.
