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Republicans in the House of Representatives applauded the re-election of Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., during the first round of voting Friday, after successfully avoiding the lengthy speaker voting process that former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., endured before the 118th Congress in early 2023.
“Congratulations to my friend @SpeakerJohnson! We are excited and ready to work with President Trump to make America great again!” wrote House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., to X after the successful vote.
Johnson was elected to serve again as speaker by a vote of 218-215-1, with Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky.as the only non-partisan Republican.
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Capitol Hill Dome, left, and Mike Johnson, right (Getty)
House Majority Leader Tom Emmer, R-Minn.said to X: “Congratulations to @SpeakerJohnson on his re-election to lead our conference during the 119th Congress. Under his leadership, House Republicans stand ready to work with President @realDonaldTrump to fix our economy, secure our borders, free American energy. , and lower taxes for working families The American people are counting on us, and the @HouseGOP will.”
Initially, it appeared that Johnson would fall short of the votes needed to be elected on the first ballot, as Republican Representatives Keith Self of Texas and Ralph Norman of South Carolina voted for different candidates for the first time. However, the two eventually switched their votes to Johnson before the count officially closed.
Several Republicans pointed to their ability to do so on the first ballot after it took 15 votes in 2023 to elect McCarthy.
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McCarthy was eventually removed from office only a few months into his position as speaker. (Getty Images)
“Victory on the first ballot. As chair of the Unified House Republican Conference, I can proudly say that we are ready to govern,” she told X.
In his own post, Rep. Mike Lawler, RN.Y., wrote: “First day. First vote. Time to get to work on behalf of the American people.”
Although Johnson was able to win re-election on the first ballot, it did not come without significant uncertainty. Some 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 newest HFC chair. (Getty Images)
Reps. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., 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, Republican of Florida, did not vote at first during the roll call.
After the initial roll call, each of the representatives voted for Johnson, surprising some.
“Today we voted for Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House because of our strong support for President Trump and to ensure the timely certification of his constituents,” Harris wrote to X afterward.
Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., who is a member and former chairman of the HFC, told X: “While I maintain my reservations about President Johnson’s leadership record, today I voted in favor of the “President Trump’s agenda”.
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Johnson avoided McCarthy’s lengthy voting process. (Valerie Plesch)
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He continued: “We will hold President Johnson accountable for delivering on the Republican Agenda. He must: – Secure our southern border – Institute common-sense House rules – Reduce rampant federal spending – Eliminate harmful and costly regulations – Roll back Biden’s crazy policies like the Green New Deal handouts – Implement a ban on stock trading 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 to X.
