On Wednesday afternoon, the House of Representatives chose Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) as Speaker, following the historic ouster of Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) three weeks ago. The GOP united behind Johnson, who secured 220 votes compared to 209 for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY). Johnson was elected as the fourth candidate nominated by the Republican Conference over the past three weeks, finally becoming the candidate supported by a united GOP front.
Johnson, 51, has a solid conservative background, having served as the vice chairman of the House GOP since 2021 and as a former chairman of the Republican Study Committee, the most prominent conservative caucus in the House. His election is seen as a triumph for conservatives and a return to traditional Republican values.
🚨BREAKING: TRUMP: “I just want to congratulate Mike Johnson.. he will be a great Speaker of the House”
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) October 25, 2023
The election of Johnson as Speaker marks the end of a tumultuous period for the GOP, which saw the removal of McCarthy and the failed nominations of Reps. Steve Scalise (R-LA), Jim Jordan (R-OH), and Tom Emmer (R-MN). The infighting within the party had left the House without a clear leader for nearly a month. Johnson’s election is a stabilizing force that will bring much-needed unity to the GOP.
In his first act as Speaker, Johnson was expected to put forth a resolution standing with Israel and condemning the terrorist organization Hamas.
It is the honor of a lifetime to have been elected the 56th Speaker of the House.
Thank you to my colleagues, friends, staff, and family for the unmatched support throughout this process.
It has been an arduous few weeks, and a reminder that the House is as complicated and…
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) October 25, 2023
The final hours before Johnson’s election were not without tension. Former Speaker McCarthy had been accused by Rep. Bob Good (R-VA) of trying to undermine the Speaker election. Good praised Johnson, saying he “possesses the basic qualities of leadership.” Eventually, the support from within the GOP for Johnson became apparent, and it will be crucial in moving forward with the party’s agenda.
President Donald Trump also threw his support behind Johnson, calling him a “fantastic speaker” and praising his smart, sharp, and popular qualities. Trump’s support is significant, as he continues to be the leader of the GOP and the top candidate for President in next year’s election.
🚨 WE HAVE A SPEAKER: Who is Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana?
-He’s America First & MAGA
-Ally of the House Freedom Caucus
-His mentor is Jim Jordan
-He served as legal defense for Trump during both impeachment trials
-Voted against all Ukraine spending after the initial bill… pic.twitter.com/mRWUbXMubT— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) October 25, 2023
Johnson has been a loyal supporter of Trump, defending him during the Democrat-led House impeachment hearings and filing an amicus brief co-signed by 100 House Republicans to support Texas litigation seeking to challenge the 2020 election results in four swing states.
On other issues, Johnson has aligned with the most conservative members of the GOP, opposing the Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act and the temporary spending measure known as a Continuing Resolution. He also supported efforts to bolster border security. He voted in favor of a resolution calling for the impeachment of Joe Biden.
Johnson’s election as Speaker is a significant victory for conservatives and the GOP. His strong conservative values, loyalty to Trump, and commitment to traditional Republican principles make him the ideal candidate to lead the GOP and the House of Representatives. The support from his fellow Republicans and Trump indicates that Johnson has the backing he needs to move forward with the party’s agenda and bring much-needed unity to the GOP.
