House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., Narrowly Holds Onto Gavel in Nail-Biter Vote
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., narrowly held onto the gavel in a nail-biter vote on Friday afternoon. The vote was a close one, with Johnson appearing to be on a path to defeat at one point.
The vote began with five Republicans refusing to cast their vote, with three others – Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., and Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas – voting against Johnson. Massie voted for Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., Norman voted for Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Self voted for Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla.
However, just as it seemed like Johnson was about to lose, President-elect Trump called Norman and Self, urging them to switch their vote for Johnson. The two congressmen confirmed that they were called by Trump, and both ultimately changed their votes to support Johnson.
Johnson was re-elected as House Speaker with 218-216 vote, just one more than the minimum required. The Speaker of the House is the second-highest position in the US government, and Johnson’s re-election ensures that Republican control of the House, Senate, and White House is maintained.
The vote was a significant victory for Republicans, who had been eager to swear in President-elect Trump later this month and capitalize on their control of all three branches of government.
