WASHINGTON — Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana was elected as the new speaker of the House on Wednesday, ending weeks of turmoil within the Republican Party that left the chamber in a state of paralysis.
Johnson, a conservative and staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, won the support of all 220 Republicans who voted, surpassing the 215-vote threshold needed to secure the gavel. He defeated Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, the Democratic leader, who received 209 votes.
Johnson is the fourth Republican to be nominated for speaker since Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California was ousted from the position on October 3, following a motion to vacate the chair that was supported by 29 members of his own party. McCarthy had been elected speaker in January after a contentious and prolonged election that took 15 rounds of voting.
The other three GOP candidates — Reps. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, Jim Jordan of Ohio and Tom Emmer of Minnesota — all withdrew from the race after failing to unify the party behind them. Scalise and Emmer faced opposition from Trump, who has been actively involved in the speaker election and has endorsed Johnson. Jordan, a leader of the hard-line House Freedom Caucus, faced resistance from some moderate Republicans who blamed him for instigating the January 6 attack on the Capitol.
Johnson, who has been in Congress since 2017 and serves as the vice chair of the House Republican Conference, emerged as a compromise candidate who could bridge the divisions within the GOP. He laid out a plan for passing a series of government spending bills earlier this week that attracted support from some of McCarthy’s detractors, and he pledged to work with Democrats on areas of common interest.
“I am humbled and honored by the trust that my colleagues have placed in me today,” Johnson said in his acceptance speech. “I pledge to serve as a speaker for all Americans, not just Republicans. I will uphold the dignity and integrity of this institution, and I will work tirelessly to advance the interests and values of our great nation.”
Johnson also thanked McCarthy for his service and leadership, and praised Jeffries as a worthy opponent and a respected colleague. He said he looked forward to working with President Joe Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on addressing the challenges facing the country, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the debt ceiling, immigration reform and infrastructure.
Jeffries congratulated Johnson on his election and said he hoped they could find common ground on some issues. He also criticized the Republicans for creating a crisis that has lasted for 22 days and prevented the House from conducting its business.
“This is a sad day for our democracy,” Jeffries said. “The Republicans have chosen to elect a speaker who was one of the ringleaders of the effort to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. A speaker who signed an amicus brief in support of a frivolous lawsuit that sought to invalidate millions of votes. A speaker who voted against certifying Pennsylvania’s electoral votes on January 6, even after a violent mob stormed this building.”
Jeffries also accused Johnson of being an extremist who opposes abortion rights, LGBTQ rights, voting rights and environmental protection. He said he would hold Johnson accountable for his actions and words as speaker.
“The American people deserve better than this,” Jeffries said. “They deserve a speaker who will uphold the Constitution, respect the rule of law and protect our democracy. They deserve a speaker who will work with us to deliver results for the people, not for Donald Trump.”
Johnson is the 56th speaker of the House and the second from Louisiana, after Henry Clay in 1811. He is also the first speaker to be elected in an intra-term election since James K. Polk in 1839.
Johnson is the 56th speaker of the House and the second from Louisiana, after Henry Clay in 1811. He is also the first speaker to be elected in an intra-term election since James K. Polk in 1839.
A global media for the latest news, entertainment, music fashion, and more.
