Republicans Make Decision Over Mike Johnson As Speaker After Late Flip By Holdouts

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson was reelected Friday afternoon by House Republicans in a tight vote after receiving enough votes to secure the gavel.

Johnson won the vote to be the speaker of the 119th Congress on the first ballot.

During the vote on the first ballot, there were six members who originally decided not to vote and were silent when their names were first called. There were also three other members who voted for a different Republican to be speaker, making him two votes shy of the necessary 218 votes.

Republican Reps. Andy Biggs and Paul Gosar of Arizona, Michael Cloud of Texas, Andrew Clyde of Georgia, Andy Harris of Maryland and Chip Roy of Texas were all silent when first called on during the first ballot. After being called again, Roy said he would be voting for Johnson. Gosar also then voted for Johnson.

Before the vote, Johnson told reporters, “I think so,” when asked if he believes he would have enough votes on the first ballot.

BREAKING: Rep. Chip Roy abstains from voting. pic.twitter.com/hBvAb7eos0

— Resist the Mainstream (@ResisttheMS) January 3, 2025

Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie voted for Majority Whip Tom Emmer to be the next speaker and South Carolina Rep. Ralph Norman originally voted for Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan. Texas Rep. Keith Self placed his vote for Florida Rep. Byron Donalds.

Mike Johnson declared he thinks he has the votes to be Speaker of the House on the first ballot. pic.twitter.com/gH2IgOaA1U

— Trending Politics (@tpbreaking) January 3, 2025

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