New Speaker Johnson projects unity, expects 'aggressive' schedule

The motion-to-vacate rules of the House of Representatives haven't changed since Rep. Mike Johnson became speaker, meaning he's still at risk of having one member trigger a vote to oust him.

The rule will force Johnson, like former Speaker Kevin McCarthy before him, to walk a tightrope, placating his Republican colleagues while moving forward on legislation in cooperation with a Democratic-controlled Senate and White House.

That balancing act could face its first challenge next month, when Congress will have to find a way to fund the government and prevent a shutdown.

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

14:46

Newly elected House speaker addresses the chamber

After 22 days without a House speaker, Republicans finally elected Mike Johnson to fill the vacancy.

ABCNews.com

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

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."