LIVE: Johnson Wins Speaker of the House After Two Change Votes
It isn’t an easy road for Johnson.
The 119th Congress begins today! You know what that means, right???
Yes, the House of Representatives will vote for Speaker of the House today, which should start soon after 12:00 PM ET.
They’re starting.
Johnson Wins
Norman and Self changed their votes.
Johnson wins with 218 votes.
First Vote
Rep. Norman voted for Rep. Jordan and Rep. Massie did not vote for Johnson. Second Vote expected.
Rep. Self voted for Rep. Donalds.
Johnson: 216
Jeffries: 215
Others: 3
Democrat Nomination
Re. Pete Aguilar nominated Jeffries for speaker.
Previous Reporting
The Republicans have a 219-215 majority since Matt Gaetz’s Florida seat remains vacant.
The Speaker needs 218 votes since the majority, not plurality. That’s assuming all 434 members show up and vote.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson can only lose one Republican vote. If another Republican votes “present” then Johnson loses.
“If more than three Republicans vote ‘present,’ Johnson also loses,” reported Fox News.
Well, we already know Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) won’t vote for Johnson.
I conducted this poll just one week ago. Nearly everyone knows from his 18 month history of betraying Republicans and teaming with Democrats that Johnson isn’t the right guy. If he fails on the first round today, a better Speaker can be elected in a few hours or over the weekend. pic.twitter.com/7zadRet0P3
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) January 3, 2025
I think Massie should be Speaker. He’s a true fiscal conservative.
Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) and Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) haven’t committed to Johnson.
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) told Fox News he’s “undecided.” Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) hasn’t said anything, too.
We all know that Johnson will likely not receive any votes from Democrats. They’ll probably pick Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) again.
I wouldn’t be shocked if it turns into a circus as it did when former Speaker Kevin McCarthy faced a rebellion. It took 21 days to pick a Speaker.
Not that I cared. I enjoyed it because nothing got done. That’s perfect for a libertarian!
President-elect Donald Trump has thrown his support behind Johnson. He’s been pressuring House Republicans to vote for Johnson so everything is set by the time he takes office on January 20.
Trump wrote on Truth Social this morning: “Good luck today for Speaker Mike Johnson, a fine man of great ability, who is very close to having 100% support. A win for Mike today will be a big win for the Republican Party, and yet another acknowledgment of our 129 year most consequential Presidential Election!! – A BIG AFFIRMATION, INDEED. MAGA!”
“MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN,” Trump said in a follow-up post.
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Comments
How will they vote?
Every Democrat’s a liberal and liberals stick together, but not every Republican is a conservative—thus some Republicans will stick with the Democrats. Let’s watch and see.
I see the Democrats are hawking Hakeem. Maybe some RINOs will join their friends.
Jefferies is one of the most junior members of the Democrats. How did he get to be minority leader? Oh, that’s right.
Johnson needs to go. Massie would be a better fit.
Perhaps but Massie has probably peev’ed a lot of people off. I doubt he could get the unity of the party behind him.
The bipartisan uniparty would use all its power to block Massie becoming Speaker.
Johnson is far from perfect, but there is no one else at the moment who will win the 218. Thus, ideal becomes the enemy of functional–no election certification, no movement toward the MAGA agenda, no unity in the party as there is among dem’s. Political progress takes time and sometimes a number of small steps are needed in order to reach a larger goal. If not, follow the process to President Grassley.
Trump is king now. Trump wants Johnson because Johnson will be malleable to the king’s will. Feckless GOPe is traditionally mere controlled opposition, so expecting them now to grow a spine to oppose the king is wish casting.
Most of GOPe hates Trump, anyway, and will seethe and hate him from the wings while voting to fund the deep sewer until it can eliminate Trump – either politically or otherwise.
Good to get this over with. We don’t need anymore open air drama to start Trump’s term. .
Johnson may not be the best, but it’s good to see the party realizes now is not the time to have this fight.
Unite now. Bicker later.
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Well, guess I was wrong. I didn’t think he’d be Speaker. I see the logic; perhaps the R’s will throw him overboard later.
Agree with the above that Massie would be an improvement but, as he said on X earlier today, Congress is being sworn in, he’s being sworn At.
While I’d love to see him lead about 300 like-minded conservatives in the House, such a fantasy flies in the face of human behavior. His petulant, holier-than-y’all attitude would be lucky to garner a few dozen votes.
Strap in. It’s going to be another bumpy ride.
Well, there goes any chance of getting anything done.
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