New Speaker Mike Johnson projects unity after 3 weeks of chaos, expects 'aggressive' House schedule

Johnson received 220 votes with no Republicans voting against him.

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.


Johnson: 'We're going to dispense with all the usual ceremonies and celebrations'

Newly elected Speaker Mike Johnson said the House would "dispense with all the usual ceremonies and celebrations" after his promotion, which ended three weeks without a speaker in the House of Representatives.

"The American people's business is too urgent in this moment," he said on the steps of the Capitol.

Johnson projected unity and tried to demonstrate that the deep divisions of the House Republican conference are suddenly healed.

“We're in the majority right now. We've gone through a little bit of suffering. We've gone through a little bit of character building. And you know what it's produced? More strength, more perseverance, and a lot of hope. And that's what're about to deliver to the American people,” Johnson said on the House steps.

Johnson said the House will have an “aggressive schedule in the days and weeks ahead.”

The first order of business is passing a resolution to support Israel, he said.

“I'm so grateful and so humbled to have got a unanimous vote on the floor by all of my colleagues here. We went through a lot to get here but we are ready to govern and that will begin right away,” Johnson said.

Meanwhile, Johnson took no questions from reporters at his first press conference.

Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, Majority Whip Tom Emmer and Steve Scalise each spoke highly of Mike Johnson at the beginning of the press conference.

-ABC's Lauren Peller and Tal Axelrod


Trump takes credit for Johnson win in speaker election

Former President Donald Trump took credit Wednesday for Speaker Mike Johnson's ascension to his new post atop the House of Representatives.

"So, at this time yesterday, nobody was thinking of Mike and then we put out the word and now he's speaker of the House, so I wanted to thank all of the supporters that I have and I wanna thank all of the supporters Mike has, and again he will be a great speaker," Trump said Wednesday.

-ABC News' Lalee Ibssa


Johnson takes oath and victory lap, lays out agenda

Speaker Mike Johnson took the oath of office and a victory lap upon formally clinching the speaker's gavel, calling on the passage of conservative priorities while also emphasizing bipartisanship.

"I want to say to the American people…we hear you. We know the challenges you're facing. We know there's a lot going on in our country," Johnson said in his acceptance speech. "Our mission here is to serve you well."

Johnson laid out concerns over unauthorized border crossings, the mushrooming national debt and more, sparking applause from Republicans in the chamber and silence from seated Democrats.

"We're going to fight. We're going to fight vigorously over our core principles," Johnson said.

Johnson said the first piece of legislation the House would move is a resolution in support of Israel as it battles Hamas in a growing war in the Gaza Strip, which the group controls. And more broadly, Johnson touted his belief in "peace through strength," also referencing Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"Turmoil and violence have rocked the Middle East and Eastern Europe," he said. "The country demands strong leadership of this body, and we must not waver."

"Let the enemies of freedom around the world hear us loud and clear," Johnson concluded. "The People's House is back in business."



Johnson's new speaker sign installed in Capitol

Moments after Rep. Mike Johnson was elected speaker, a new sign with his name was installed outside the speaker's office in the Capitol.

The sign bearing former Speaker Kevin McCarthy's name was removed at some point Tuesday evening.

-ABC's Lauren Peller and Mariam Khan


Jordan tells ABC more members will vote for him on 2nd ballot

ABC News caught Jordan moments after he left the House chamber. He made it clear that he's staying in the race for speaker, insisting there will be another vote tonight.

"We thought we were doing well ... that we were in that area or a little more maybe, but we feel confident. We already talked to some members who are going to vote with us on the second ballot," Jordan said as he rushed into an office.

-ABC's Rachel Scott, Lauren Peller, Arthur Jones and John Parkinson