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CONGRESS WASHINGTON — Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., won reelection to the House speakership on a first ballot Friday, pushing past GOP hard-right holdouts and buoyed with a nod of support from President-elect Donald Trump.
Some hard-line Republicans convened in the back of the House chamber during a tense roll call on the first day of the new Congress, one by one declining to vote or choosing another lawmaker. The standoff sparked fresh turmoil signaling trouble ahead under unified GOP control of Washington. In the end, Johnson was able to flip two remaining holdouts to support him, drawing applause from Republicans.
The tally was 218-215. In his first speech, Johnson vowed to "reject business as usual" and promised "to drastically cut back the size and scope of government." People are also reading.
.. What was once a ceremonial day with newly elected lawmakers arriving to be sworn in to office, often with family, friends and children in tow, evolved into a high-stakes vote for the office of House speaker, among the most powerful elected positions in Washington.
Vice President Kamala Harris was swearing in the senators. With opposition from his own GOP colleagues, Johnson arrived with outward confidence after working into the night to sway hard-line holdouts. A flop by Johnson could have thrown Monday's congressional certification of Trump's 2024 election victory into turmoil without a House speaker.
"We don't have time for drama," Johnson said as he walked into the Capitol. His weak grip on the gavel threatens not only his own survival but Trump's ambitious agenda of tax cuts and mass deportations as Republicans sweep to power. Newly elected House lawmakers started casting votes as Johnson's name was put forward for nomination by the GOP Conference Chair Rep.
Lisa McClain, R-Mich. "No speaker's perfect," she said. The goal was to make progress toward shared priorities for the country, she said.
"None of us will get exactly what we want." Democrats put forward their leader, Hakeem Jeffries of New York, as the only one with a track record of compromise and achievement in the face of "chaos and dysfunction" under the GOP majority. Rep.
Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., recounted the times their votes bailed out Johnson to ensure passage of important legislation. Get local news delivered to your inbox!.
