New Speaker Johnson projects unity, expects 'aggressive' schedule

Johnson received 220 votes with no Republicans voting against him.

Last Updated: October 25, 2023, 5:40 PM EDT

Rep. Mike Johnson was elected as the 56th speaker of the House Wednesday after three failed GOP tries. Unlike in previous ballots, every single Republican voted for him, giving him 220 votes.

The hard-liner and 2020 election denier said the House will have an “aggressive schedule in the days and weeks ahead.”

The House has faced a chaotic speakership battle that has dragged on for three weeks.

Oct 25, 2023, 2:04 PM EDT

Johnson to be least experienced speaker in more than a century

Rep. Mike Johnson will be the least-experienced House speaker in more than a century.

Having only served in Congress since early 2017, Johnson has the least experience in Congress of any speaker in the last 140 years.

At 51 years old, he is also the third-youngest speaker since 1900.

-ABC News' Ben Siegel

Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) (L) shakes hands with Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) as the House of Representatives holds an election for a new Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol on October 25, 2023 in Washington, DC.
Win Mcnamee/Getty Images
Oct 25, 2023, 1:58 PM EDT

Johnson elected speaker

Rep. Mike Johnson was elected the 56th speaker of the House of Representatives, winning every single Republican in the chamber.

He prevailed over House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in a 220-209 vote.

Oct 25, 2023, 1:49 PM EDT

Johnson appears to have enough votes to clinch speakership

Rep. Mike Johnson appears to have enough votes to win the House speakership, winning over the majority of voting members in the chamber.

Johnson hit the 215 votes needed, with no Republicans defecting thus far. Members have a chance to change their votes or cast ballots if they were not present once roll call ends.

Should he claim the gavel, Johnson's ascension to the speaker would cap an over three-week period since former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., was booted and in which the House was essentially paralyzed.

Temporary House speaker Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., talks with Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., before Republicans try to elect Johnson to be the new House speaker, at the Capitol in Washington, Oct. 25, 2023.
Alex Brandon/AP
Oct 25, 2023, 1:21 PM EDT

Johnson can afford to lose 5 GOP votes as roll call vote underway

Rep. Mike Johnson can afford to lose five Republican votes Wednesday in his speakership bid as the roll call is underway.

With 429 House members in the Capitol today, only one Republican -- Wisconsin Rep. Derrick Van Orden -- is absent. The other three missing members are Democrats.

That means Johnson can win the speaker's gavel with 215 votes if all members vote and nobody votes "present." Therefore, Johnson can afford to lose five votes and still become speaker.

--ABC News' Ben Siegel

Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., shakes hands with Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., before Republicans try to elect Johnson to be the new House speaker, at the Capitol in Washington, Oct. 25, 2023.
Alex Brandon/AP

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