Democrats have mixed reactions to Johnson’s victory in front of the speaker: ‘Hell has frozen over’
Democratic lawmakers had mixed reactions to Republican Rep. Mike Johnson being re-elected president House for the 119th Congress.
Lawmakers gathered on Capitol Hill Friday to vote for a chairman before the new Congress can begin. Johnson won the speaker race during the first round of voting, but all GOP lawmakers they did not initially support his candidacy.
During the first round, three Republicans voted for candidates other than Johnson. However, after a brief meeting in the GOP locker room with Johnson, Republican Reps. Ralph Norman and Keith Self switched their votes for the first round — securing the presidency for Johnson.
When it was up in the air whether the Republican resistance would change their votes, Democrats began to react on social media. “The GOP civil war is in full swing. And it’s only day one,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wrote in a post on X shortly before two GOP absentees changed their votes.
MIKE JOHNSON RE-ELECTED AS REPRESENTATIVE DELAY CHAIRMAN AS GOP THREAT OF REBELLION DISAPPEARS
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is congratulated by Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., left, on the floor of the U.S. Congress after Johnson won the presidency of the 119th Congress on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (Tom Williams)
“Oh well, it only took the GOP minutes to derail this train — by not voting for their own Speaker of the House,” Rep. Melanie Stansbury, DN.M., said in a social media post. “We were hoping we could leave the dysfunction in 2024 and work for the American people! But we’re going to a runoff for president.”
But the feeling changed after Johnson won the hammer in just one round. One Democrat credited Johnson with securing the presidency in one vote after Republican lawmakers took four days to choose a president in January 2023.
GOP REBELS SWITCH VOTES FOR JOHNSON AFTER TRUMP’S 11TH-HOUR CALLS, PUSHING HIM OVER GOAL
“To my credit, Mike Johnson learned from the 15-round debacle of 2 years ago. Instead of trying to disrupt his conference with a quick runoff, he kept the voting open while the arm-twisting and hand-wringing went on in the background. Result: 2 votes changed, enough to win the gavel,” said Rep. Hank Johnson, R-Ga.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) speaks to the media during a press conference at the US Capitol. (Kevin Dietsch)
“This fight is over, but keep your popcorn close,” the Democrat added.
“Hell has frozen over (literally – it’s snowing in DC)! With just one vote, we have a president – for now!” Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Mo., said on X.
Democratic Rep. Morgan McGarvey of Kentucky said that “now that we have a president, let’s get to work.”
After Johnson won the presidential election, other Democrats congratulated him.
“Congratulations to Mike Johnson on his re-election as Speaker of the House,” Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass., posted on social media. “There are several proven, bipartisan bills on the list that he could bring to the floor immediately to help Americans: afford housing, pay for Rx drugs, secure the border.”
Rep. Jasmine Crockett said that “we have a chair – for now!” (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc.)
Democratic lawmakers voted unanimously for the new nominee, Hakeem Jeffries of New York, who was praised after the vote by Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Mass.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“215 @HouseDemocrats stand united behind our leader @RepJeffries. First round. Every round,” Clark said in a post on X.
