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.


House passes resolution defending Israel under Speaker Johnson

Under its new speaker, the House passed a resolution defending Israel and condemning Hamas after the group's attack earlier this month and the escalating war in the Gaza Strip.

The resolution passed in a 412-10 vote. Six members voted present. Nine of the 10 "no" votes came from progressive Democrats, while Rep. Thomas Massie, Ky., was the only Republican to vote against the resolution.

-ABC News' Lauren Peller


Schumer said he looks forward to working with Johnson in bipartisan way

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, in brief remarks, said he looked forward to working with new Speaker Mike Johnson in a bipartisan manner.

"I look forward to sitting down with Speaker Johnson to discuss a path forward to avoid a government shutdown. I will tell him, as I say over and over again, the only way to avoid a shutdown, to pass a supplemental to do things for the American people, is bipartisan. And I hope and look forward to working with him in a bipartisan way. I hope he will."

-ABC's Lauren Peller


Biden says he'll work with Johnson

President Joe Biden said Wednesday that he plans to work with newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson.

"As I said when this process began, whoever the Speaker is, I will seek to work with them in good faith on behalf of the American people," he said in a statement. "That's a principle I have always held to, and that I've acted on -- delivering major bipartisan legislation on infrastructure, outcompeting China, gun reform, and veterans care."

"Even though we have real disagreements about important issues, there should be mutual effort to find common ground wherever we can. This is a time for all of us to act responsibly, and to put the good of the American people and the everyday priorities of American families above any partisanship."

Biden also separately said he does not believe that Johnson would seek to overturn the results of the 2024 election after he voted against certifying the results of the 2020 presidential race.

"Look, just like I was not worried that the last guy would overturn the election," Biden said when pressed by reporters Wednesday. "They have about 60 lawsuits all the way to the Supreme Court, and every time they lost. I understand the Constitution."

The White House said Biden called Johnson Wednesday afternoon "to congratulate him on his election, and expressed that he looks forward to working together to find common ground on behalf of the American people."



House motion-to-vacate rules remain unchanged after Johnson elected speaker

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.


Some House conservatives slam proposal to empower temporary speaker and delay vote on Jordan

As Republicans continue to debate how best to move forward given Jordan’s impasse, some of his top allies are bashing the idea of elevating Patrick McHenry with Democratic support until January to get the House through funding Israel/Ukraine aid and avoiding a shutdown.

"This is the wrong thing to do. Our voters worked very hard to give us the majority,” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., said.

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., shared his opposition.

“I’m against speaker lite,” Gaetz said. “It’s constitutional desecration.”

Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., told ABC Senior Congressional Correspondent Rachel Scott he doesn't back the plan and predicted that more than half the GOP would oppose it.

Even if the pragmatic Republicans supporting Jordan support the plan, it will need Democratic votes. The exact number could be fluid.

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., has said Republicans must take up government funding and Israel/Ukraine aid. His third demand -- allowing “bipartisan bills” to the floor -- could be a nonstarter for many Republicans depending on how it’s construed.

McHenry kept his cards close entering the meeting about whether he supports the plan.

“I never asked for additional powers,” he said.

He is expected to gavel the House into session shortly and then recess as both parties continue their private meetings.