Former Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson was re-elected. Despite not having the necessary initial majority, he eventually won, obtaining 218 votes, which was exactly the required absolute majority. Negotiations with two congresses became important.
The main opponent of Mike Johnson, the leader of the Democratic Party, Hakeem Jeffries, won 215 votes. The only “rebel” among the Republicans was Thomas Massey, who voted for Tom Emmer, who is third in the party hierarchy.
Despite lacking the required majority, Johnson ultimately won the vote. Key to the negotiations were two congressmen, Keith Self and Ralph Norman, who had initially voted against him but then changed their positions.
READ ALSO – Johnson: I don’t expect funding for Ukraine now
Later, Johnson swore that he did not make any concessions to the “rebels”. He, for his part, said that he and Norman at the same time spoke with the newly elected President Donald Trump.
Trump has been a strong supporter of Johnson and reiterated that support Friday before the vote and congratulated him afterward. “Mike will be a great president and our country will benefit. The nation has… waited four years for common sense, strength and leadership. Now he will get it and America will be greater than ever!” – he wrote on his Social Truth website.
Mike Johnson Re-Elected House Speaker JIM LO Scalzo/PAP/EPA
Johnson, despite Trump’s support, is criticized by the extreme wing of the party
Johnson announced that when he leads the 119th Congress, he intends to be guided by the principle of “America First,” “abandon the status quo” and focus on securing the border first. He also promised to seriously reduce the state apparatus and strengthen the armed forces, adding that he intends to “reinstill fear in the hearts of (our) enemies.
“This is the most dangerous time since World War II, and the whole world is counting on America and Congress to ensure peace,” he said.
Despite Trump’s support, Johnson has been criticized by the extreme wing of the party for being careless and repeatedly colluding with Democrats on budget issues, as well as for accepting aid to Ukraine.
Before the vote, Johnson publicly committed to appointing a special group of independent experts to work with Elon Musk’s DOGE commission to cut budget spending and eliminate wasteful spending. It was a nod to his critics, who have attacked him for spending too much and making budget deals with Democrats.
McHenry: We’ve got a group of Republicans who “like” the nearest street light
As former Speaker of the House Patrick McHenry told CNN, he believes the vote against Johnson amounts to “territory marking” by right-wing members of Congress. He also counted five other congressmen who initially abstained but eventually voted for Johnson.
– I think the best analysis is that it is a dog that shows its territory. “We have a group of Republicans in the House who are rushing to the nearest stoplight to say, ‘We’re in charge here,'” McHenry said.
Despite initially falling short of the required majority, Mike Johnson eventually won the votes SHAWN THEW/PAP/EPA
Johnson, 52, a congressman from Louisiana, originally took office in October 2023 following a fringe wing revolt against his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy.
He was then elected only after a record 15 rounds of voting and the defeat of three popular candidates. On the eve of 2023 and 2024, the president kept the package of funds to support Ukraine for half a year, but finally resigned. In December, he announced that he would follow President Trump’s instructions on the matter.
The new term of the US Congress
Friday’s vote and subsequent swearing-in of congressmen kicked off the 119th Congress. Next Monday, both houses of parliament will officially confirm the results of the presidential election.
In the new Congress, Republicans currently hold a four-vote majority in the House of Representatives, 219-215, but that number will temporarily drop to 217 after Mike Waltz (US National Security Adviser) and Eliz are in the new administration. found after January 20 Stefanik (US ambassador to the UN).
Republicans also took control of the Senate on Friday, winning 53 seats out of 100. The new Senate Majority Leader is Senator John Thune of South Dakota.
Main photo: JIM LO SCALZO/PAP/EPA
