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.
A look back at key moments:
- House passes resolution defending Israel under Speaker Johnson
- Schumer said he looks forward to working with Johnson in bipartisan way
- Biden says he'll work with Johnson
- House motion-to-vacate rules remain unchanged after Johnson elected speaker
- Johnson: 'We're going to dispense with all the usual ceremonies and celebrations'
House in recess, next steps unclear
Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry has gaveled the House into recess.
“A speaker has not been elected,” McHenry announced at 12:06 p.m.
Whether there will be a fourth vote today remains unclear. Republicans are expected to hold a conference meeting early Friday afternoon to discuss the path forward.
-ABC's John Parkinson
Jordan loses again, with 25 Republicans voting against him
Jordan was again rejected, this time with 25 Republicans voting against his candidacy.
The Ohio Republican received 194 votes, his lowest total yet. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries received 210 votes, two fewer than in previous rounds due to Democratic absences.
Support for GOP Rep. Patrick McHenry, the interim speaker, began to emerge on this ballot. Six Republicans voted this round for the North Carolina Republican.
The speaker's chair remains empty more than two weeks since the historic removal of Kevin McCarthy.
Jordan loses even more GOP support than in 2 previous votes
Republican opposition to Jordan has grown, with at least 24 GOP members rejecting his third attempt to be speaker.
The results come after Jordan tried to pressure GOP holdouts, both publicly and privately, to change their minds.
Jordan had 20 Republican defectors in the first round and 22 in the second. The third vote is ongoing.
3rd vote is underway, Jordan expected to lose
The 3rd vote for speaker is now underway.
Jordan can only afford to lose five Republican votes. Already, seven Republicans have cast their ballot for someone else.
Jordan earlier Friday hinted the House could continue voting through the weekend for speaker. The chamber is paralyzed without one, unable to respond to the crisis in Israel or consider the foreign aid package being requested by President Joe Biden.
Who is Jim Jordan?
The Ohio Republican won the GOP nomination for speaker last week.
A conservative firebrand and favorite of former President Donald Trump, Jordan was first elected to Congress in 2006 and in 2015, founded the House Freedom Caucus -- a conservative group that supports hard-line stances on government spending, health care, immigration and other issues.
Now, as the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Jordan is one of the Republicans leading the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden and investigations into his son, Hunter.
Read more about Jordan's rise here.
-ABC's Sarah Beth Hensley