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.


Timing of the first-round speaker vote

Here's the timing for what we expect for the first round of speaker votes this afternoon:

  • The clerk (Kevin McCumber, acting clerk) calls the House of Representatives to order at noon EST.
  • Prayer led by Margaret Grun Kibben -- the first female chaplain of the House.
  • Pledge of Allegiance led by the House clerk.
  • Quorum call is ordered by the clerk. Members are called to vote electronically by state. At this point, we will hear the official number of lawmakers present and voting.
  • Election for speaker with nominations made by selected lawmakers. Typically, one lawmaker from each party is nominated -- in this case, Jordan is the Republican nominee and Jeffries is the Democratic nominee. House Republican Conference chairwoman Elise Stefanik will nominate Jordan; House Democratic Caucus chairman Pete Aguilar will nominate Jeffries.
  • Debate on the nomination of candidates for speaker is allowed but not customary.
  • “Tellers” are appointed to count “viva voce” voice votes, usually two members from each side of the aisle. A “viva voce” vote is one spoken aloud. The (usually) four tellers take a seat at the dais and tally votes on paper.
  • Roll is then called by the House reading clerk with members calling out the last name of their chosen speaker; the clerk repeats the choice so everyone hears it. This could take up to one hour.
  • The House clerk announces the results; appoints an escort committee to formally escort the new Speaker-elect into the chamber.