The speaker was the target of criticism from elected officials in his office who accuse him of making concessions to Democrats
Republican Mike Johnson narrowly won his re-election as speaker of the House of Representatives in the first round of voting, overcoming resistance from the GOP hard right after a tense standoff and buoyed by a nod of support from President-elect Donald Trump.
The awkward scene provided an ominous start to the first day of the new Congress.
A small group of die-hard Republicans gathered in the back of the House of Representatives, one by one refusing to vote or choose another lawmaker.
Mr. Johnson’s face darkened, reflecting new agitation and announcing the difficulties that await him with Mr. Trump’s return to the White House and unified Republican control of Washington.
Ultimately, Mr. Johnson managed to sway the remaining two holdouts, who switched sides to support him, and Mr. Trump called one of the dissident Republican lawmakers from the golf course.
The final result is 218-215.
Visibly relieved, Mr. Johnson pledged to “reject the status quo” in his first speech.
“We will dramatically reduce the size and scope of government,” he promised.
Mr. Johnson’s weak grip on the gavel has threatened not only his own survival, but also Mr. Trump’s ambitious agenda of tax cuts and mass deportations as Republicans take over. power.
The close vote count highlighted the challenges he faces. Even support from Mr. Trump himself is no guarantee of Mr. Johnson’s ability to stay in power.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jefferies tried to move past the Republican tumult of the past two years, saying it was time to come together, to put aside partisan politics “to make move things forward” for the Americans.
What was once a ceremonial day when newly elected lawmakers arrived to take the oath of office, often accompanied by family, friends and children, has transformed into a high-stakes vote for Speaker of the House Representatives, one of the most powerful elected offices in Washington.
Vice President Kamala Harris administered the oath of office to the senators.
While the Senate can meet alone and has already elected party leaders – Sen. John Thune as Republican majority leader, who promised in his first speech to maintain the legislative filibuster, and Sen. Chuck Schumer to the Democratic minority – the House must first elect its speaker, a role required by the Constitution, second in the line of succession to the president.
Mr Trump had supported Mr Johnson and was on the phone during the vote to ensure the outcome.
ADVERTISEMENT“Mike will be a great president, and our country will benefit,” Mr. Trump said on social media after the vote.
This is not the first time Congress has tried: it took Republicans nearly a week and 15 rounds of voting to elect Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2023, an unprecedented spectacle in modern history.
