Representative Mike Johnson (R-LA) officially won the position of Speaker after some initial hurdles, receiving 218 votes – enough to secure the position.
Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) cast a vote for Representative Tom Emmer (R-MN), following through on his pledge to vote against Johnson. Representative Ralph Norman (R-SC) initially did not vote for Johnson, instead choosing Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH). Republican Representative Keith Self (R-TX) initially voted for Speaker over Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL), but ultimately, the latter two changed their votes, giving Johnson the lead on the first ballot.
This gave Johnson 218 votes and he got enough support to be elected Speaker once again.
As things stand, Massey is the only GOP vote against Johnson.
Ahead of the vote, Johnson released a lengthy statement on social media – in which he acknowledged his uphill battle after negotiating the controversial spending bill before Christmas on behalf of Republicans.
“The American people demand an end to the status quo and a return to fiscal prudence. “That’s why the citizens of our great country gave President Trump Republican control of the White House and both houses of Congress,” he began.
“If we don’t follow through on our campaign promises for fiscal responsibility, we are not fit to hold power. The national debt is a serious threat to America’s economic and national security – and no issue better exemplifies Congress’s failures” he continued, “to address and eliminate trillions of dollars of waste, fraud and abuse. Highlighted opportunities to make meaningful spending reforms. “Weaponization of the government in the next two years”.
He committed to three actions in addition to advancing President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda:
1. Create a working group consisting of independent experts to work with DOGE and our committees on implementing recommended government and spending reforms to protect American taxpayers – not corrupted by lobbyists and special interests.
2. Task that working group with reviewing existing audits of federal agencies and entities created by Congress – and issue a report to my office for public release.
3. Request House committees to conduct aggressive authorization and appropriations reviews, including providing additional resources where necessary, to expose irresponsible or illegal practices and hold accountable agencies/individuals that weaponize the government against the American people .
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