House Republicans are looking forward to a quick vote for the speaker with only one defector
Republicans in the House of Representatives cheered the re-election of Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., during the first round of voting on Friday, after successfully avoiding the lengthy speaker’s vote process that former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., endured ahead of the 118th Congress in early 2023.
“Congratulations to my friend @SpeakerJohnson! We are fired up and ready to work with President Trump to make America great again!” House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., wrote on X after the successful vote.
Johnson was re-elected speaker 218-215-1, s Tail. Thomas Massie, R-Ky.the only Republican who opposed Johnson’s election.
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Capitol Hill Dome, left, and Mike Johnson, right (Getty)
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn.said on X: “Congratulations to @SpeakerJohnson on his re-election to lead our conference through the 119th Congress. Under his leadership, House Republicans stand ready to work with President @realDonaldTrump to fix our economy, secure our borders, free up America’s energy, and lower taxes for hard-working families are counting on us, and the @HouseGOP will make it happen.”
It initially appeared that Johnson would not receive the necessary votes to be elected on the first ballot after Republican Reps. Keith Self of Texas and Ralph Norman of South Carolina cast their first ballots for different candidates. However, the two ended up switching their votes for Johnson before the count officially closed.
Several Republicans have touted their ability to do so on the first ballot after 15 votes were needed in 2023 to elect McCarthy.
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McCarthy was fired just months after becoming president. (Getty Images)
“Winning on the first ballot. As chairwoman of the House Republican Conference, I’m proud to say we’re ready to govern,” House Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain, R-Mich., said on X.
In his own post, Rep. Mike Lawler, RN.Y., wrote: “First day. First vote. Time to get down to business on behalf of the American people.”
Although Johnson was able to win re-election on the first ballot, it was not without considerable uncertainty. A number of Republicans, including members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, initially abstained when their names were called, putting Johnson’s presidency in jeopardy.
Harris is the latest HFC chair. (Getty Images)
Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Arizona; Michael Cloud, R-Texas; Andrew Clyde, R-Ga.; Paul Gosar, R-Ariz.; House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris, R-Md.; Chip Roy, R-Texas; and Mike Waltz, R-Fla., initially did not vote during the roll call.
After the first roll call, all MPs voted for Johnson, to the surprise of some.
“Today we voted for Mike Johnson for Speaker of the House of Representatives because of our steadfast support for President Trump and to ensure the timely certification of his constituents,” Harris wrote on X afterward.
Tail. Scott Perry, R-Pa., a member and former chairman of the HFC, said on Xu, “While I maintain my reservations about Chairman Johnson’s leadership thus far, I voted today to support President Trump’s Agenda.
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Johnson avoided McCarthy’s lengthy voting process. (Valerie Plesch)
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“We will hold President Johnson accountable for delivering on the Republican agenda. He must: – Secure our southern border – Bring common sense to home rule – Cut rampant federal spending – Eliminate harmful and costly regulations – Reverse Biden’s insane policies like the Green New Deal promotion – Implement Congressional stock trading ban We have a mandate from the American people to save our country.”
“Congratulations, @SpeakerJohnson. I look forward to working with you to achieve President Trump’s legislative goals in the coming days,” Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., another HFC member, wrote on X.
