House Republican Mike Johnson (LA-4) was reelected speaker yesterday, securing exactly the 218 votes needed to take the gavel for a second term after a pair of GOP holdouts who initially voted against him flipped their votes.
Johnson, 52, clinched the role on the first ballot, winning over all but one Republican lawmaker, including holdout Reps. Ralph Norman (R, SC-5) and Keith Self (R, TX-3). Rep. Thomas Massie (R, KY-4) voted against Johnson, supporting Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R, MN-6).
Johnson’s win avoided a repeat of the start of last year’s Congress when the House subjected former Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R, CA-20) to 15 rounds of voting across four days before he secured the speakership, only to be ousted nine months later. The House of Representatives can now begin business, including counting electoral votes Monday.
On the other side of the US Capitol, Vice President Kamala Harris swore in the 119th Congress’ senators. See the new members of Congress here. See a demographic breakdown here.
