After his victory, chants of ‘Mike’ erupted within the House GOP caucus.
After a day of marathon closed-door discussions on Tuesday, House Republicans were ecstatic when they came together around a new speaker nominee.
On Tuesday evening, GOP Conference Vice Chair Mike Johnson, R-La., was named speaker-designate, becoming the fourth Republican nominee in three weeks.
However, House Republicans asserted that their conference is finally on the same page and ready to unite under Johnson’s leadership, with a House-wide vote scheduled for Wednesday shortly after noon.
“My wife…and I were talking, and I said, if we can get somebody like Mike Johnson, we’d be very lucky,” Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett told reporters following the vote.
Related Posts
“I think he would be an excellent choice because… he’s very cerebral,” said Burchett. “And he’s a bit of a jerk… However, I like that about him. ‘He’s cleaner than a hound’s tooth,’ says an ancient saying in east Tennessee.
Burchett was one of eight House Republicans who voted three weeks ago Tuesday to remove ex-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. Johnson, he continued, “brings something to the table that’s lacking in Washington.”
Rep. Michael Cloud, R-Texas, who was among the first 20 lawmakers to oppose McCarthy’s speakership attempt in January, praised Johnson as a “capable” and “good man.”
“I think it was important to make sure that we got the right person for the American people,” he said to Fox News Digital.
Johnson also received backing from leadership, including Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., the No. 2 House Republican who was originally named as McCarthy’s replacement — before bowing out due to rising opposition.
“Mike is an honest, hardworking, and principled man who will make an excellent speaker.” Scalise said in a statement, “I look forward to continuing to work with my good friend to get this country back on track and deliver results for American families who deserve better from Washington.”
House Republicans had assembled earlier in the day for a speaker election, which was won by Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn. However, opposition, notably former President Donald Trump, pushed him to withdraw hours later.
Republican leaders hurriedly planned another candidate forum, where Johnson came out on top after previously finishing second to Emmer.
Following a roll call vote in which members were called on by name to announce whether they would support Johnson on the floor, no one voted against him, with only a few lawmakers voting “present.” In a press conference following the vote, Johnson swore to maintain conservative beliefs as all House Republicans present flanked him and cheered.
Several MPs, however, believed that around 19 members were absent – a crucial influence in the Wednesday decision.
Rep. John Rutherford, R-Fla., who voted against House Republicans’ second speaker-designate, Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, replied “I don’t think so” when asked if the absences would be a problem for Johnson.
Rep. Ben Cline, R-Va., added, “All of the different factions came together, and we’re confident that the members who weren’t here will recognize the unity that we have [and] the importance of the mission ahead.”
