This article has been updated since publication to reflect that two lawmakers changed votes.
After what looked to be a loss, Mike Johnson has emerged the winner, successfully being reelected House speaker in a 218-215 vote. In a shocking twist, two Republican members who voted for other candidates changed their votes to Johnson.
Three Republican lawmakers initially defected from the party leadership, choosing to endorse three alternative candidates. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C. voted for Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, voted for Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., voted for Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn.
But Self and Norman changed their votes and ultimately supported Johnson.
In his victory speech, Johnson praised American strength. “Today my friends our nation is the envy of the world.” He went on to note American exceptionalism. “We don’t try to be like other nations. And we recognize a strong America is good for the entire world.”
Johnson highlighted several priorities for the new Congress, including education, immigration, tax cuts, and energy independence. “It is parents and families and not administrators that must be in charge of their children’s education,” he told the assembled House. “We will start by defending our nation’s borders.”
Johnson also indicated he would stimulate economic growth through tax cuts and energy production. “We will extend the Trump tax cuts,” Johnson declared. “It is our duty to retore America’s energy dominance.”
Johnson also promoted the idea of more defensive spending. “We have to make adequate investments in defense.”
President-elect Donald Trump congratulated Johnson on his election as speaker. “Congratulations to Speaker Mike Johnson for receiving an unprecedented Vote of Confidence in Congress. Mike will be a Great Speaker, and our Country will be the beneficiary. The People of America have waited four years for Common Sense, Strength, and Leadership. They’ll get it now, and America will be greater than ever before!”
The cohort of Johnson’s objectors came from Johnson’s rightward flank. Johnson announced earlier today certain commitments in a bid to appeal to undecided House members.
Johnson’s supporters anticipated the potential for a prolonged speakership fight, despite Trump’s endorsement of him.
“None of us will get exactly what we want,” Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., chair of the House Republican Caucus, declared when she introduced Johnson in his bid to lead the House of Representatives for the 199th Congress.
In her nominating speech, McClain articulated her vision for the next Congress’ agenda. Much of it resounded with the message of Trump. “We have the opportunity to put America first again,” and “We should be making it easier for people to achieve the American dream.” McClain explicitly highlighted helping veterans of the United States armed forces. McClain described Johnson as “an honest broker” who “shows you his true beliefs at face value.” McClain’s speech tied Johnson’s leadership to a message of hope. “[Johnson] knows our brightest days are still ahead of us.”
“I know Mike will be an integral part of this country’s comeback,” McClain added.
Johnson attempted to win over some of his conservative holdouts by announcing several concessions before the first ballot on Friday. In a post on X, Johnson promised to appoint a working group to assist in the Department of Government Efficiency’s efforts by thoroughly auditing federal agencies and entities created by Congress. Johnson added that he will “request House committees undertake aggressive authorizations and appropriations reviews, including providing additional resources where needed, to expose irresponsible or illegal practices and hold agencies/individuals accountable that have weaponized government against the American people.”
The commitment swayed some conservative members, such as Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind. “I appreciate @SpeakerJohnson’s public commitment to the American people to deliver on President Trump’s agenda and drain the swamp,” she said in reply to Johnson’s concessions.
What Johnson did to maintain the speakership is still unclear. It has been speculated that Johnson called up Trump to get the holdouts in line. It is also possible that Johnson was forced to make more concessions, which come in the form of increased representation on certain House committees or through legislative priority commitments (the latter of which greatly contributed to the downfall of former Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s speakership).
Nevertheless, Johnson has retained control over the speaker’s gavel through a shocking twist, setting up what is sure to be an exciting 119th Congress.
