Rep. Mike Johnson Wins Speaker’s Gavel with Unanimous Republican Support

U.S. House of Representatives
Bradley Jaye

Rep. Mike Johnson is the 56th Speaker of the House, ending a long Republican nightmare as several more potentially loom.

Johnson won the gavel by a vote of 220-209.

Republicans had fought for more than three weeks without a Speaker as spending deadlines drew closer and the international scene deteriorated, but Wednesday, Republicans were all smiles.

Republicans in attendance unanimously supported Johnson, an achievement unfathomable only hours before.

Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-MO) remains in Israel on a “fact-finding mission.” Four Democrats were absent from the vote.

Johnson received overwhelming sustained applause from his Republican colleagues upon being nominated. The humble Johnson, clearly more accustomed to hurling sharp attacks on Judiciary Committee witnesses than receiving such levels of adoration from so many colleagues, meekly smiled and waved in his seat.

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), the chair of the House Republican Conference, gave a rousing nominating speech featuring multiple moments of raucous applause from Republicans — as well as boos from Democrats.

WATCH: Elise Stefanik Delivers Speech Backing Mike Johnson for Speaker to Thunderous Applause

U.S. House of Representatives

Democrats took particular umbrage when Stefanik mentioned the Biden administration’s weaponization of the federal government against its top political opponent. The mere reference to Donald Trump touched a nerve with Democrats, who booed loudly out of order.

Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA), chair of the House Democratic Caucus, nominated Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) for Speaker. Aguilar made multiple references to Trump, whose presence will continue to loom over House Republicans as Speaker Johnson navigates narrow House margins during a presidential election cycle.

Johnson did not enter the race until Saturday. During balloting Tuesday, Johnson eventually emerged as the top alternative to the more mainstream Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN), who won the nomination but withdrew only four hours later in the face of immovable Republican holdouts.

Republicans quickly scrambled to assemble a new slate of nominees and schedule a candidate forum that same evening.

Johnson secured the nomination with 128 votes minutes before 10:00 pm.

Less than sixteen hours later, Johnson’s rise was complete, winning on the House floor.

Now, the hard work begins.

Follow Bradley Jaye on Twitter at @BradleyAJaye.

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